Pilot 2 of the GestEAUr project, located at the Valada Wastewater Treatment Plant (Cartaxo), has started operating. The system consists of two constructed wetlands—one conventional and one electro-stimulated—which treat the wastewater from the treatment plant after the pre-treatment stage. The aim is to assess and compare the performance of both technologies with a view to future water reuse.
The European GestEAUr project (Sustainable Urban Water Management in Rural Areas), funded by the Interreg Sudoe programme, is thus making progress in the search for nature-based technological solutions for wastewater recovery and reuse, in a context where enabling new water uses is becoming increasingly necessary.
An ultrafiltration unit is expected to be added to the pilot shortly. It is currently being prepared at AdTA’s facilities in Torres Vedras. Once transferred to Cartaxo, the unit will treat the effluent from the wetlands to achieve a water quality suitable for reuse in applications such as irrigation or street cleaning.
The project is also working with different organisations, including municipal and emergency services, to explore new applications for reclaimed water. The results of this pilot will contribute to promoting safer, more sustainable and more resilient water management models across the SUDOE area.