TARGET presented sustainable, economic, and socially accepted solutions to combat water scarcity in Southwest Europe during its fifth meeting.
The transnational TARGET Interreg Sudoe project team actively participated in the Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Water Reuse (Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Water Reuse – REUSE EUROMED 2026), held in San Fernando de Henares, Madrid. During the event, the consortium led a special session entitled “Water Reuse in the TARGET Strategy: Building Sustainable and Accepted Solutions Across the SUDOE Region,” a space that successfully connected the most innovative local experiences with transnational scientific research to address the pressing challenge of water scarcity.
The session comprehensively addressed reclaimed water management through four fundamental pillars: regional strategic planning, environmental impact in local environments, social risk perception, and the economic viability of infrastructures.
Key Presentations and Strategic Pillars of the Session
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Regional Strategy (Amélie Bresson – EPIDOR / EPTB Dordogne): The project leader kicked off the block with a comprehensive overview of TARGET’s global strategy. Bresson detailed the scope of the various demonstrative actions that the consortium is actively deploying across key regions in Southern France, Spain, and Portugal, laying the groundwork for coordinated water governance.
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Local Impact and Ecological Restoration (Xavier Romero Hidalgo – Consorci Besòs Tordera): Romero presented a successful practical case study on how the strategic use of reclaimed water serves as a critical tool for drought mitigation and ecosystem recovery. His presentation focused in detail on the Can Cabanyes natural area and the broader Besòs Basin, demonstrating the direct benefit to local biodiversity.
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Social Acceptability (Lucía Poggio Lagares – Universidad Complutense de Madrid): The researcher shared the key findings from the comprehensive transnational analysis developed by TARGET regarding public risk perception. Poggio highlighted the critical factors determining the social acceptance of water reuse projects, an indispensable element to guarantee the long-term success and sustainability of these measures.
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Economic Valuation (Francisco J. André – Universidad Complutense de Madrid): To close the technical block, Professor André broke down in detail the economic externalities associated with water reclamation projects. Through scientific valuation models, he provided essential tools for financial decision-making in water policies.
We also want to extend a massive congratulations to all team members for the high quality of their presentations and the value of the insights shared. Furthermore, we would like to recognize the hard work and outstanding contributions during these sessions of key project professionals such as Isabel Martín, Rui Teixeira, Catherine FRANCK-NEEL, and Alexis CLERMONTEL, whose interventions and ideas were fundamental to enriching the global debate.
A Sincere Expression of Gratitude
The TARGET Interreg Sudoe team wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the congress organizers: the Interreg Sudoe I-ReWater project, the Asociación Española de Riegos y Drenajes (AERYD), and PROePLA – Proxectos e Planificación (GI-1716). Their excellent organizational work provided the perfect platform to bridge technical innovation, economic models, and social acceptability, transforming reclaimed water into an essential strategic resource for a secure and resilient future.
