AQUACYCLE

We are all aware of the present water scarcity situation in the southern Mediterranean region and how the forecast for the future looks gloomy and discouraging. On the other hand many water dialogues and initiatives are being launched in the region such as the Water Integrity Capacity Building Programme for the MENA Region implemented by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) with GWP-Med, and several others; all aiming to change the water situation in the region. By launching AQUACYCLE amidst all these efforts, we will have a higher rate of success as we address several of the current challenges. AQUACYCLE’s mission is to change the present paradigm of wastewater reuse, and of imposing western technology without consent, by engaging effectively with stakeholders from the start of the project. The AQUACYCLE technology providers are confident that, once adapted to local conditions, the technology will become popular and will be replicated. The eco-innovative technology (anaerobic digestion, constructed wetland, solar treatment) has a low cost of operation and maintenance as it uses less chemicals, runs on renewable energy, produces biogas and fertiliser, and the constructed wetland will thrive as an ecological tourist attraction aside from being a climate change mitigation measure. The participatory approaches utilized in the project bring in an innovative approach in democratizing spatial decision-making for the siting of new plants which would in turn lead towards creating a new sense of land and water stewardship for the local communities. We expect that by the end of the project we have changed the minds of all stakeholders about wastewater reuse, we have produced 3 municipal action plans and presented them to public authorities and agencies concerned with investment and implementation. And we trust that the project’s cross-border Mediterranean Wastewater Reuse Alliance would be acknowledged and integrated with the SIWI/GWP-Med initiatives.

Consortium

Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (Greece) (Coordinator)
Plataforma Solar de Almeria – Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnologicas (PSA/CIEMAT) (Spain)
Integrated Resources Management Co Ltd (IRMCo) (Malta)
Universite Libanaise (UL) (Lebanon)
Centre des Recherches et des Technologies des Eaux (CERTE) (Tunisia)
Centre International des Technologies de l’ Environnement de Tunis (CITET) (Tunisia)
Entidad de Saneamiento y Depuracion de la Region de Murcia (ESAMUR) (Spain)

Project Coordination

Prof. Anastasios J. Karabelas (Project Coordinator)

Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute (CPERI)
Centre of Research & Technology – Hellas
6th km Harilaou – Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
Tel.: +30 2310 498181
Fax: +30 2310 498189
Email: karabaj@cperi.certh.gr

Dr. Konstantinos V. Plakas (Project Manager)

Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute (CPERI)
Centre of Research & Technology – Hellas
6th km Harilaou – Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
Tel.: +30 2310 498476
Fax: +30 2310 498189
Email: kplakas@cperi.certh.gr