WavE

Project implementation

Introduction

The cross-cutting topic "Implementation of projects" was divided into two subgroups after the first meeting to improve the focus on content. The subgroup "Industry and Salts" is chaired by Dr. Ante and has already developed a first list of criteria for implementation in industry, which is to be incorporated into a guideline. For the subgroup "Agricultural Irrigation" the current discussion on the national implementation of the "EU Regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse for agricultural irrigation" (EU 2020/741) as well as the preparation of a new DWA leaflet M-1200 on water reuse is highly relevant. The participants of this subgroup therefore see a great opportunity to bring practical experience and new scientific knowledge from the ongoing WavE II projects into the currently ongoing legislative process in Germany. Especially the four projects dealing with agricultural irrigation have with their experiences and findings a direct application for Germany. Therefore, the subgroup "Agricultural Irrigation" has agreed on a coordinated approach.

Activities and results to date

Various formats are conceivable for informing the ongoing legislative process as well as interested stakeholders. In WavE I, good experience was gained with a closed-door workshop, in which a targeted open discussion was held with the stakeholders. In addition, the preparation of a position paper was considered purposeful, in which current findings from the projects, planned activities, experiences with the required risk management, but results reliability and requirements for the preparation could be presented.

On July 19, 2022, a joint workshop with the cross-cutting theme 'Technologies and Processes' was held to exchange approaches to process assessment and target values for different water qualities related to agricultural irrigation.

For the further procedure, it was agreed to hold a closed-door workshop on November 22, 2022 with the title "Water Reuse in Agricultural Irrigation - Solutions from the BMBF Water Reuse Funding Program (WavE), which was organized by the Transfer Project in a lead role. Representatives of relevant federal ministries, higher federal authorities and state ministries were invited. The event took place on November 22 from 14-18 h in online format. About 40 people participated in the event. The program consisted of various presentations and online discussion forums focusing on the following topics:

Current and Future Water Availability Situation for Agriculture in Germany

Agricultural water reuse: legal framework conditions

Knowledge and insight based implementation perspectives.

  1. Explanation of the regulation approach, permitting aspects, actors and responsibilities, elaboration and preparation of a risk management plan.
  2. Risk mitigation measures: application and validation. Presentation of established technical options and experiences, also from WavE (useful water, FlexTreat, DWA M1200).
  3. Water qualities: Possibilities, control and monitoring. Which qualities can be achieved, how can they be monitored (sensors, analytics, etc.)
  4. Application examples and implementation possibilities: Requirements in practice, hydroponic irrigation (HypoWave project), and other examples (projects Useful Water, FlexTreat).
Overall discussion of possible information/knowledge needs, reservations.

 

The online event was informative for the participants, but the format only allowed for a limited discussion with the participants. Therefore, it is suggested to continue the exchange and to choose a face-to-face format or smaller group formats in the online format for future events.

Outlook

The Agricultural Irrigation Working Group met again online on December 12, 2022 and is currently preparing a first draft of the envisioned position paper. A draft outline is in preparation.

The Industry and Salts Working Group will prepare the structure of an implementation guide at the next meeting. This is intended to provide guidance for successful implementation (large-scale application) of innovations.

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