RichWater main objective is the successful market entry, commercialization and replication of the RichWater system in water scarce regions in Europe and the MENA countries. This objective has been reached by developing and following a business plan, which includes a market strategy as well as the validation within the EU Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Pilot Programme of a ready-to-market RichWater system (150m3/day) for the energy-efficient, sustainable and safe application of treated wastewater for irrigating different fruit trees and vegetables (market reference). In addition to other marketing activities such as the IP protection plan, visits to the demonstration-site, promotion workshops for clients, the project aims for the development of local PPP models between wastewater treatment plant operators (WWTPOs) and food producers.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s H2020 Research & Innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 691402. The sole responsibility for the content lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.

Project Results

In the frame of Richwater, the following results were obtained:

• Supporting SMEs to develop green economy products and boost economic growth and job creation in EU by uptaking RichWater results and development a commercial treatment and reuse near-market prototype
• Rich Water’s market introduction in the wastewater treatment sector in combination with the farming sector (especially in the greenhouse part) in Spain, Italy and Greece and later worldwide.
• Establishment of the safe and economic reuse of wastewater in agricultural production as an sustainable and accepted method in the EU-28
• Reduction of freshwater and fertilizer consumption in water scarce areas of the Mediterranean
• Reducing the environmental impacts of untreated wastewater (eutrophication)