About the Project

EMWATER - Efficient Management of Wastewater, its Treatment and Reuse

Given the fact of water shortage crisis in the Mediterranean countries the EMWATER project aims to highlight innovative solutions in wastewater treatment and wastewater reuse. With this goal in mind experts from the field, decision-makers, interested citizens and civil organizations should be sensitized to these issues.

A more specific aim is the strengthening of regional co-operation through the creation of networks among the experts as well as through cross-border knowledge transfer. Additionally the project aims at strengthening capacity building through local and regional training programs, the development of regional policy guidelines for wastewater treatment and reuse in the region.

The improvement of the security and safety of water supply in the Mediterranean countries is the best recipe for social, economic and political stability in the region and is, thus, the foremost goal of the project.

General Objectives

The EMWATER project has set the following general objectives:

• Strengthening long-term regional co-operation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean countries.
• Improving efficiency and effectiveness in integrated water resource management.
• Promoting transfer of innovative wastewater treatment technologies and improving current technologies used in rural areas.
• Encouraging reuse-oriented wastewater management.
• Enhancing public awareness of the insufficient respectively wrong wastewater treatment and reuse and for the necessity of an improved hygienically safe disposal.
• Providing decision-makers with up-to-date, relevant information in order to help them choosing the most suitable technology.
• Exchange of experiences and know-how between the European and Mediterranean partner countries and among the Mediterranean partner countries.

Specific Objectives

The general objectives will be complemented by the following tasks:

• Elaboration of regional policy Guidelines for wastewater treatment and reuse.
• Adapted training and capacity building programs for technicians, engineers and employees of authorities and non-government organizations in the field of wastewater treatment and reuse.
• Design and construction of pilot plants for demonstration and training purposes.

Stakeholders in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine

Successful project planning and implementation require a participation of all decision-makers:

• Public authorities dealing with water management in general such as ministries and municipalities etc.
• Universities and teaching institutions
• Non government organizations which have a strong interest in water and environmental issues
• Women and environmental protection organizations
• Health organizations
• Farmers and consumers organizations etc.

As stakeholders they are a part of the regional and local steering committees assisting the Mediterranean project management in the project.