The present report, prepared by the EU Policy Lab at the JRC, aims at informing the imple-mentation and future evolution of EU Regulation 2020/741 on water reuse, supporting the European Water Resilience Strategy. Safe and sustainable water reuse is essential for pro-tecting ecosystems, enhancing resilience, and promoting circular water management. Using a mixed-methods approach, including system mapping, participatory workshops, scenario development, surveys, and expert co-creation, the study identifies structural, economic, and institutional barriers and opportunities for scaling water reuse across Europe. Four scenarios illustrate potential pathways to 2040, highlighting the importance of strong policy support, coordinated governance, and EU leadership. Key recommendations focus on removing im-plementation obstacles, promoting long-term planning, addressing economic and structural challenges, and implementing pilot projects to generate evidence and build capacity. The 2028 revision of the Water Reuse Regulation offers a timely opportunity to embed these insights in a harmonised legal framework. Achieving widespread water reuse will require coordinated action across governance, investment, and knowledge exchange, ensuring resili-ence, environmental protection, and public acceptance throughout Europe.

ARRIGONI Ottla;  MITEV Kaloyan;  VAZQUEZ Estefanya; 

2026-07-10

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC144406

978-92-68-37239-5 (online),   

1831-9424 (online),   

EUR 40632,    OP KJ-01-26-058-EN-N (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC144406,   

10.2760/7198444 (online),