Circular Economy

The management of the urban water cycle incorporates principles of circularity in its essence and the AdP Group capitalizes on its sustainability potential through the adoption of models for valuing the value chain of its operations, transforming waste into new raw materials.

Water and energy efficiency are strategic objectives of the Group in the context of managing water scarcity, adapting to climate change, and promoting the circular economy, such as the production of water for reuse and valorization of by-products resulting from processes water treatment (sludge and nutrients), and the energy use of assets and endogenous resources, namely biogas from anaerobic digestion and installation of solar energy production equipment in infrastructures.

PRODUCTION OF WATER FOR REUSE

Increasing circularity in the use of water and improving water efficiency are very relevant in the current context of climate change, constituting a good water management practice, particularly to face the increased frequency and intensity of periods of drought and water scarcity. 

In addition to being an adaptation measure to climate change, the use of treated wastewater incorporates the challenges of the circular economy in managing the urban water cycle, generating significant environmental, social and economic benefits.

Wastewater treated in the infrastructures of Águas de Portugal Group companies has been used for internal and external uses in various processes and facilities, with the production of water for reuse obtained from wastewater treatment becoming part of the activity of multi-municipal wastewater sanitation companies at the beginning of 2021 (Decree-Law No. 16/2021, of February 24).

The different reuse projects that have been developed by the Águas de Portugal Group, on different scales and regional contexts - agricultural irrigation (REUSE, AQUA-VINI, Casa Relvas), golf courses and urban green spaces or washing and industrial uses, have contributed to increasing knowledge, creating synergies between stakeholders, overcoming barriers and developing safe and appropriate solutions in terms of cost-benefit, based on the fit-for-purpose approach and risk assessment, allowing the design of proportionate solutions given the intended uses and specific constraints.

The dissemination of success stories has resulted in an increase in demand, even in regions where water scarcity is not critical, based on objectives of efficient use and preservation of water resources.

Água + | A SOLUTION FROM THE PRESENT AND TO THE FUTURE

Águas do Tejo Atlântico is strongly invested in and committed to the use of treated wastewater, having developed the Água + - recycled and non-potable water brand, a rational and sustainable alternative for compatible uses of water for reuse, such as watering green spaces, washing of streets and agricultural and industrial equipment and uses, through which it has established partnerships with public and private entities from different sectors of activity.

Find out more here 

WWTP SLUDGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

To change the paradigm in the approach to sludge management and in alignment with the objectives of various public policies, the AdP Group has an ambitious plan underway to value sludge and a set of other products that can be integrated into different production lines, in a true circularity process associated with efficiency and mitigation of the global carbon footprint.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION PROJECTS - SOME EXAMPLES

• REUSE - Innovative Production of Water for Reuse in Agriculture

REUSE aims to promote the circular economy and the use of water for reuse in agricultural irrigation in Alentejo using environmentally sustainable and low-cost technologies, but also by creating knowledge and developing communication actions on the reuse of water.

The project's demonstration pilot, installed at the Beja WWTP, consisted of a production system of water for reuse through solar disinfection of wastewater treated at the WWTP, for use by a farmer in the region to irrigate pomegranates.

REUSE was financed by the Environmental Fund, resulting from a partnership between Águas de Portugal, AgdA – Águas Públicas do Alentejo, EDIA – Alqueva Development and Infrastructure Company, ISA – Instituto Superior de Agronomia, EFACEC and Centro Operativo e de Tecnologia de Regadio (COTR).

• LIFE PHOENIX

The LIFE PHOENIX project aims to develop and demonstrate modular, flexible, and efficient solutions for the sustainable and safe production of water for reuse (ApR) from wastewater from secondary treatment, in accordance with new European requirements.

The collaboration of the Águas de Portugal Group in this project, which is being developed by a European consortium, consists in participating in the development of a feasibility study for the application of the solutions in two of the Group's WWTPs and in the dissemination of the project in Portugal.

Find out more here.

• Flo(RES)ta

The Flo(RES)ta  – Resilient and circular forest project is a joint initiative of leading companies in the urban water cycle and agroforestry sectors with a synergistic approach that promotes a set of actions to combating climate change, contributing both to its mitigation and adaptation, as well as combating the desertification of the territory, carrying out a reforestation operation with native species and applying fertilizer materials obtained from WWTP sludge and biomaterials resulting from forest cleaning.

AdP VALOR coordinates this project, whose consortium also includes Águas do Vale do Tejo and FlorestaGal.

Find out more here.

• AQUA VINI

AQUA-VINI aims to contribute to the promotion of the production and use of water for reuse in winemaking activities in the Alentejo region, specifically in the vineyard produced at Herdade da Ravasqueira, managed by Sociedade Agrícola D. Diniz, S.A.

The project includes the production of water for reuse at the Arraiolos Poente WWTP, owned by AgdA – Águas Públicas do Alentejo [https://www.adp.pt/pt//?id=78&emp=7], and its forwarding to reinforce storage of water in the existing pond that irrigates the vineyard.

• LIFE RENATURWAT

Sludge resulting from water purification processes for human consumption can be used to improve wastewater treatment through its use in artificial wetlands, contributing to the removal of nutrients and organic compounds and to biodiversity and promoting the circular economy in the urban water cycle.

The effectiveness of this process is being demonstrated through the project “LIFE RENATURWAT – Integrating circular economy and biodiversity in sustainable water treatments based on constructed wetlands”, co-financed through the LIFE 2014-2020 Program and developed by a European consortium in which Águas de Portugal participates.

Find out more here