By Mario Beccari, Claudia Brunori, Roberto Morabito, Enrico Rolle, Gianni Squitieri, Attilio Toscano, and Fabio Trezzini.
The Water Scarcity Problem
According to the European Commission, "at least 11% of the European population and 17% of its territory have been affected by water scarcity." The situation worsens during summer in the Mediterranean, where over half the population experiences water stress.
Climate Change Impact
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that every 1°C increase leads to a 20% reduction in global water availability. Without decisive action, global water availability could decline by 40% by 2030.
Circular Management Strategies
1. Demand Management
Promoting "sustainable lifestyles and production processes" that incentivize savings and conservation of water resources, while also reducing distribution network losses.
2. Non-conventional Resource Valorization
Use of treated urban wastewater, transforming treatment plants into "bio-refining structures that convert waste substances into useful products, such as biogas and biomethane, fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus), organic substances."
Circular water management represents a fundamental transition to ensure environmental sustainability and availability of this essential resource.