Source: H2020

Given the scarcity of water resources in the Southern Mediterranean Region, one of the highest in the world, a new paradigm is required that will consider non‐conventional water resources – mainly recycling of agricultural runoff, re‐use and storage of treated wastewater, and desalination using renewable energy – as an asset to be managed as part of the country’s integrated water resources management framework.

This integrated approach would not only increase water availability for specific purposes that is hygienically safe, ecologically sustainable and beneficial for society as a whole, but also contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation of its impacts through greenhouse gases reduction of.

In recognition of the above, a sub regional training was held in Tunis, Tunisia from 10-13 April 2012 within the framework of ENPI Horizon 2020 Capacity Building/MEP and Sustainable Integrated Water Management – Support Mechanism (SWIM-SM) projects. The course was launched by Mr. Stefano Corrado of the EU Delegation to Tunisia.

The four day training brought together practitioners, managers and decision-makers from water and wastewater authorities, environmental agencies, health departments, in addition to junior university staff in fields related to desalination and waste water treatment. The initiative brought together thirty four participants from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia.

The training introduced participants to state-of-the-art wastewater treatment and reuse schemes, including Best Available Technologies (BAT) in rural/local areas, adaptable treatment technologies and effluent standards for various reuse purposes, while highlighting the risks involved. Special emphasis was given to artificial recharge with treated wastewater technologies, and their role in wastewater reuse schemes, as well as on the state-of-the-art in desalination processes and their economic, energy and environmental impacts.

Read more