(1)

the sources of the urban waste water that enters the urban waste water treatment plant that supplies water for reclamation. The sources of urban waste water shall be identified using the definitions set out in Council Directive 91/271/EEC (1). Urban waste water may include a mixture of domestic waste water, industrial waste water and run-off, and thus discharges carrying various types of pollutants, pathogens or other substances;

(2)

the reference or name of the urban waste water treatment plant that supplies water for reclamation, and, if different from the reclamation facility, information on the types of treatments performed in the plant (primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary).

(3)

the reference or name of the reclamation facility, if different from the urban waste water treatment plant, and information on the treatment processes and technologies used at the facility. Information shall also be provided on operating conditions and control parameters of processes which are relevant for the management of risks, including control parameters for processes that treat pathogens or pollutants that have been identified as hazards in accordance with point 3 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2020/741.

(4)

a characterisation of the quality of the urban waste water entering the urban waste water treatment plant, enabling the identification of the parameters that are relevant for the quality of reclaimed water and that may become hazards in the meaning of point 3 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2020/741. The characterisation may describe the water quality at different points of the water reuse system, addressing possible fluctuations due to hazardous events, system failures or seasonal variations.

These points may be:

The characterisation of the quality of the water shall cover:

(5)

the volume of water entering the urban waste water treatment plant and transiting through the water reuse system over 1 year (i.e. minimum, maximum and average flow) including any information on flow variability due to weather events or other events (tourist season) that could significantly affect the volume and quality of reclaimed water, where relevant. If only part of the treated urban waste water is used to produce reclaimed water, this information shall be limited to the volumes of water entering the reclamation facility or resulting from the secondary treatment stage and used to produce reclaimed water;

(6)

the identification of the point of compliance in the water reuse system.

(1)

the types of storage systems (closed or open, including measures in place to avoid cross contamination with other sources of pollution, including run-off from industry and farming);

(2)

the operating mode of the system (operational or seasonal);

(3)

the average residence times;

(4)

the management strategies for controlling the physical, chemical and biological quality of reclaimed water, including bacterial regrowth or algal growth.

(1)

information on pumping systems;

(2)

the types of pipelines, channels or other distribution means used;

(3)

the management strategies for controlling the physical, chemical and biological quality of reclaimed water during supply;

(4)

measures to avoid cross-contamination with the drinking water system or with the sewage system or with any other source of pollution, including run-offs from industry or farming in case of open channels, where relevant.

(1)

a description of the irrigation methods within the served area, already in place or planned, taking into account that different methods may be used depending on the season or the availability of water. If end-users have not yet been identified or if a high number of them are served by a single reclamation facility, the information may consist of general information on the typical or more frequently used types of irrigation in the served area and include prescriptions on the irrigation method necessary to safely use a given reclaimed water quality class on certain types of crops.

Irrigation methods shall be classified into the below categories:

Further information, relevant for the identification of routes of exposure for the population or environment as referred to in point 4 of Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2020/741, to be provided if relevant to the type of irrigation method used, shall include, where applicable:

(1)

the intended uses of reclaimed water (in accordance with the selected reclaimed water quality classes, crop categories and irrigation methods set out in Table 1 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2020/741), the points of use, as well as the prevailing planting and harvesting procedure, periods and frequency, and the prevailing crop husbandry method in the served area. If specific end-users or uses have not yet been identified or if a high number of users are served by a single reclamation facility, the information may be based on the intended use of reclaimed water in a specific area or on the most common agriculture practices and crops in this area. The information may also consist of prescriptions on how a given reclaimed water quality class can be safely used for certain crop types and under certain conditions.

The crop types, designated as categories in Table 1 of Annex I to the Regulation (EU) 2020/741, shall be described in accordance with the intended use of the crop:

(2)

if relevant, information on additional treatments or appropriate barriers referred to in Article 5(4), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2020/741, applied to the reclaimed water after the point of compliance, including, where relevant, at the distribution or storage infrastructure and at the irrigated fields, used to meet the quality requirements set out in Table 2 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2020/741.

(3)

if relevant, information on other sources of water intended to be blended with reclaimed water, as well as on mixing points, quantity and quality characteristics and any variability relevant to assessing the risks, especially when blending is used as a barrier. If end-users have not yet been identified or if a high number of them are served by a single reclamation facility, the information may consist of general information on typical blending practices in the served area and include prescriptions to ensure the safety of this practice.

(4)

the range of flows of reclaimed water expected to be supplied and any seasonal variability, and the period of use (temporary or ad-hoc), in accordance with the irrigation schedule.

—

the actions for which the party is responsible;

—

the place or the step in the water reuse system where the actions need to be performed;

—

the time of performing the actions.

(1)

operators of the reclamation facility and of the urban waste water treatment plant, where different from the reclamation facility, including public or private water utility operators);

(2)

operators of facilities for storage and distribution of reclaimed water, where relevant;

(3)

operators that irrigate fields with reclaimed water, including farmers, associations of farmers, or consortia of irrigators;

(4)

relevant authorities, other than the designated competent authority, or bodies, including water authorities, public health authorities, environmental authorities;

(5)

other parties that could have responsibility in any part of the water reuse system or that are based in the local area.

(1)

pathogens (including bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminth) responsible for water-borne disease outbreaks in humans and animals and other health effects, whenever justified, and pollutants that are generally present in urban waste water;

(2)

pathogens, pollutants or other substances associated with industrial discharges, or with urban run-off from contaminated surfaces into the urban collection system, where relevant, that may accumulate in high concentrations in the urban waste water and thus affect the use of reclaimed water;

(3)

pathogens, pollutants or other substances identified by taking into account the requirements listed in point 5 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2020/741, or other requirements set out in the relevant EU, national or local legislation, site-specific conditions and whether the reclaimed water can reach sensitive receptors. These requirements may include the following aspects:

(4)

pathogens, pollutants or substances potentially present in reclaimed water that could damage soil and irrigated crops and are identified in accordance with the ISO 16075-1:2020 standard (3) or any guidelines for agricultural irrigation, including: (i) chemical substances, such as total soluble salts, sodium, chloride, boron, and ions with specific toxicity; (ii) other chemical elements and pathogens; and (iii) nutrients;

(5)

pollutants, that are not yet regulated (including micro-plastics or contaminants of emerging concern), identified in the reclaimed water and relevant to the specific context of the water reuse system.

(1)

failure of preventive measures at the reclamation facility (or at the urban waste water treatment plant, if different), in storage and distribution systems, or in the field. That can occur:

(2)

accidental or inappropriate (or illegal) discharges that could lead to uncontrolled concentrations of pathogens, pollutants or other substances in the sewage system and in the effluent from the urban waste water treatment plant, and that could affect the quality of the reclaimed water;

(3)

human errors caused by inadequate training or information on permitted uses;

(4)

seasonal changes or extreme weather conditions where relevant (including floods or droughts);

(5)

seismic occurrences;

(6)

acts of vandalism or terrorism (including cyber-attacks on infrastructure).

(1)

operators and workers of the reclamation facility (or of the urban waste water treatment plant, if different), and of the storage and distribution facilities, if applicable;

(2)

end-users in the irrigated fields;

(3)

residents and workers from the local community or by-standers (including people incidentally located within or close to the water reuse system whose presence is unrelated to the system and who take no action to reduce exposure, workers or users of nearby activities) who could accidentally be exposed to reclaimed water (including by taking part in recreational activities on or near open channels that could receive reclaimed water, or by being exposed to drops of reclaimed water from sprinkler irrigation systems).

(1)

surface waters, groundwater bodies or coastal waters and their aquatic ecosystems in the proximity of the water reuse system;

(2)

water resources used for the supply of drinking water, including water reservoirs for the supply of drinking water (i.e. drinking water protected areas), in the proximity of the water reuse system;

(3)

soil and crops of the irrigated field and of the surrounding fields;

(4)

ecosystems and/or protected areas (including those established under Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) and other protected areas for nature conservation) and associated terrestrial and aquatic fauna and flora of the identified environmental compartments in the proximity of the water reuse system;

(5)

nutrient sensitive areas and nitrate vulnerable zones in the proximity of the water reuse system.

(1)

ingestion of reclaimed water, directly or indirectly via crops, soil or objects that have been in contact with reclaimed water;

(2)

contact with reclaimed water (skin or eyes), directly or indirectly via crops, soil or objects that have been in contact with reclaimed water;

(3)

inhalation of reclaimed water (aerosol).

(1)

infiltration of reclaimed water to groundwater via leaks (including from pipelines and storage systems), via irrigation or following heavy rain events;

(2)

run-off of reclaimed water to surface or coastal waters via leaks (including from pipelines and storage systems) or via irrigation;

(3)

run-off of reclaimed water to nutrient sensitive areas and nitrate vulnerable zones or protected areas (as identified above) via leaks (including from pipelines and storage systems) or via irrigation.

(1)

geological, hydrogeological and hydrological conditions in the area, including the presence of unconfined or a mixture of confined and unconfined aquifer and groundwater abstraction systems (including their main characteristics, for example the distance to irrigated areas, the type of system, the use of a pumping system or artesian well, water uses);

(2)

presence, characteristics and uses of surface waters, including required minimum flow rate, seasonal flow variations, contribution of discharges from the waste water treatment plant;

(3)

soil structure and properties according to the pedological features of the area;

(4)

presence of permeable areas (including information on vegetation types, woods) and of impermeable surfaces (including parking lot or streets);

(5)

changes in typical weather conditions: temperatures, precipitation, humidity, wind.

(1)

an analysis of the potential routes of exposure for the environmental compartments (identified in accordance with point 4 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2020/741) and of the corresponding (group of) hazards (identified in accordance with point 3 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2020/741);

(2)

a screening of hazards (pathogens, pollutants and other substances identified in the reclaimed water) against relevant environmental quality standards or any other limit set in EU, national or local legislation for pathogens, pollutants or other substances relevant to a given environmental compartment (including groundwater, surface water, soil, crops) considering site-specific conditions, and determining the allowable concentration of the hazard in the reclaimed water;

(3)

an assessment of the range of exposure on the basis of the concentration of each hazard identified in reclaimed water, the routes of exposure, and exposure levels, ranked according to their likelihood and severity, determined by taking into account the irrigation method and practices, as well as the volume, frequency, and duration of irrigation;

(4)

an assessment of the likelihood that a certain hazard will reach a water body, by using the method proposed by the ISO 16075-1:2020 standard, which assesses the vulnerability of groundwater and surface water to infiltration or run-off of reclaimed water, taking into account the hydrogeology of the site, or by applying the Commission guidelines to support the application of Regulation (EU) 2020/741 or any other equivalent method;

(5)

a characterisation of the environmental risks for each identified hazard or group of hazards and for each route of exposure and hazardous event;

(6)

an assessment of the likelihood of exposure and the severity of the consequences by using risk matrices that combine likelihood and severity, including those proposed in the ISO 20426: 2018 standard (5), or in the Sanitation Safety Planning Manual (6) of the World Health Organisation (WHO), or in the Commission guidelines to support the application of Regulation (EU) 2020/741 and in the technical guidance prepared by the Joint Research Centre (2022) (7);

(7)

an assessment of the risks to soil or crops based on existing reference values of parameters of agronomic concern depending on the local context (including soil type and soil acidity), including the ones set out in the ISO 16075-1:2020 standard or equivalent.

(1)

an analysis of the potential routes of exposure for the populations (identified in accordance with point 4 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2020/741), and the corresponding (group of) hazards (identified in accordance with point 3 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2020/741);

(2)

where relevant, an evaluation of dose-response relationships to determine the response of a population being exposed to a certain concentration of a hazard and the probability of potential adverse health effects of a determined severity, by considering, as a minimum, the pathogens in reclaimed water that could cause health problems (i.e. adverse effect caused by a substance in a living organism) to exposed populations (including operators or farmers);

(3)

an assessment of potential ranges of dose or exposure relevant to human health and animal health on the basis of the pathogens, pollutants and other substances present in the reclaimed water and their concentrations, taking into account the types of crops (consumed raw crops or processed food crops) and the methods and practise for irrigation (including the frequency and duration of irrigation);

(4)

a characterisation of the health risks for each identified hazard or group of hazards and for each route of exposure and hazardous event;

(5)

an assessment of the likelihood of exposure and the severity of the consequences, by using the methods set out in the ISO 20426: 2018 standard or in the WHO Sanitation Safety Planning Manual or any other equivalent method.

(1)

the requirement to reduce and prevent water pollution from nitrates in accordance with Council Directive 91/676/EEC (11): the risk assessment shall identify any potential impact, as a result of the use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation (including via run-off or infiltration) and resulting in possible excessive exposure to nitrates, on surface water or groundwaters, which have been identified by a Member State as possibly affected by (nitrates) pollution in accordance with that Directive;

(2)

the obligation for protected areas for water intended for human consumption to meet the requirements of Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council (12): the risk assessment shall identify surface water or groundwater that is classified as a drinking water protected area and would potentially be affected by the use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation (including via run-off or infiltration);

(3)

the requirement to meet the environmental objectives set out in Directive 2000/60/EC: the risk assessment shall identify potential risks of deterioration of the status of water bodies covered by that Directive due to the use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation (including via run-off or infiltration);

(4)

the requirement to prevent groundwater pollution in accordance with Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (13): the risk assessment shall identify potential risks of deterioration of the chemical status of groundwater bodies due to the use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation;

(5)

the requirement to meet the environmental quality standards for priority substances and certain other pollutants laid down in Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (14): the risk assessment shall identify potential risks of deterioration of the chemical status of surface water bodies due to the use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation;

(6)

the requirement to meet the environmental quality standards for pollutants of national concern, namely river basin specific pollutants, laid down in Directive 2000/60/EC: the risk assessment shall identify potential risks of deterioration of the ecological status or potential of surface water bodies as a result of the use of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation;

(7)

the requirement to meet the bathing water quality standards laid down in Directive 2006/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (15): the risk assessment shall identify water bodies used for bathing activities and that are potentially affected by the use of reclaimed water (including via run-off);

(8)

the requirements concerning the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture under Council Directive 86/278/EEC (16): the risk assessment shall identify if the use of sewage sludge in agricultural fields combined with irrigation with reclaimed water can pose cumulative risks;

(9)

the requirements regarding hygiene of foodstuffs as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (17) and the guidance provided in the Commission notice on guidance document on addressing microbiological risks in fresh fruits and vegetables at primary production through good hygiene (18): the risk assessment shall identify if the use of reclaimed water may pose a risk of not meeting the requirements set for the production of fresh fruits and vegetables;

(10)

the requirements for feed hygiene laid down in Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council (19): the risk assessment shall identify if the use of reclaimed water may pose a risk of not meeting the requirements set for the production of feed (non-food crops including crops used to feed food-producing animals);

(11)

the requirement to comply with the relevant microbiological criteria set out in Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 (20): the risk assessment shall identify if use of reclaimed water may pose a risk of not meeting the requirements set for the production of food;

(12)

the requirements regarding maximum levels for certain contaminants in food set out in Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (21): the risk assessment shall identify if the use of reclaimed water may pose a risk of not meeting the requirements set for the productions of food;

(13)

the requirements regarding maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed set out in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council (22): the risk assessment shall identify if the use of reclaimed water in agricultural fields used to produce foodstuff and feed stuff to which pesticides are applied, may pose cumulative risks (if the risk assessment has identified pesticides as potential hazards that could be present in the reclaimed water);

(14)

the requirements regarding animal health set out in Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (23)and in Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 (24): the risk assessment shall identify if the use of reclaimed water to irrigate fodder crops or any other crops for animal feed may pose a risk of not meeting the requirements set for animal health (through feed ingestion or exposure in the field).

(1)

the reclamation facility (or the urban waste water treatment plant, if different), including by evaluating and optimising the processes in place or by identifying additional advanced treatments;

(2)

systems for storage and distribution of reclaimed water, when applicable;

(3)

irrigated fields or the area around them, when applicable, including by considering alternative irrigation methods that minimise risks of exposure, by providing buffer zones, or similar methods, or by protecting workers and farmers (requiring the use of specific personal protection equipment or by adopting hygiene protocols, in addition to possible measures already taken to comply with rules on health and safety at work).

(1)

the application of barriers shall lead to the fulfilment of the quality requirements for the reclaimed water quality classes set out in Table 2 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2020/741. The quality class may be determined by considering the accredited number of barriers and criteria reported in the Commission guidelines on the application of Regulation (EU) 2020/741;

(2)

barriers include treatment or non-treatment options and may be applied before or after the point of compliance;

(3)

multiple barriers may be used in combination (multi-barrier approach) to achieve different log reductions (in accordance with the ISO 16075-2:2020 standard (25) or other relevant guidelines) and to achieve the required overall log reduction necessary to minimise risks, on the basis of the selected reclaimed water quality class.

(1)

standard operating procedures;

(2)

operation and maintenance schedule;

(3)

quality control measures;

(4)

a list of specific tasks and who is responsible for such tasks;

(5)

a list of the point of compliance and any other critical control points identified for the management of risks, including points where reclaimed water is delivered to the next party in the water reuse system; information on those points shall include the precise location (positioning on a GIS map or with geographical information, when possible) and method for sampling;

(6)

procedures for data acquisition through laboratory analysis or online systems;

(7)

procedures for sampling and analysis;

(8)

procedures or protocols for monitoring the reclaimed water for the relevant parameters;

(9)

maintenance programmes for the equipment (including probes for online detection);

(10)

maintenance programmes for preventive measures and barriers;

(11)

procedures for training for operators.

(1)

shall be based on the results of the health and environmental risk assessment;

(2)

shall include procedures for fulfilling at least the minimum requirements on routine monitoring in accordance with Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2020/741, and for meeting any parameters and limits related to the reclaimed water that are identified as additional requirements based on the results of the health and environmental risk assessment;

(3)

shall include monitoring procedures for sampling and analysing reclaimed water (using laboratory analysis, real time sensors or analysers), with indication of location and frequency, and procedures to control the release of identified pollutants into the exposed environmental receptors (including surface water, groundwater and soil); the procedures shall include documented action to ensure ongoing health and environmental protection, including under extreme weather events;

(4)

shall include procedures that are in line with existing legislation, in particular water resources monitoring shall comply with Commission Directive 2009/90/EC (26), ensuring that the results are comparable with those obtained through monitoring under Directive 2000/60/EC.

(5)

shall include monitoring of parameters in environmental compartments (including surface water, groundwater or soil), where relevant and according to the results of the risk assessment; if pathogens, pollutants and/or substances are identified in any of the monitored environmental compartments, it shall be evaluated whether their presence is due to the use of reclaimed water, or whether they originate from other sources.

(1)

a list of corrective measures and the responsible persons for the identified hazardous events;

(2)

emergency procedures in case of failure of any treatments carried out at the urban waste water treatment plant or the reclamation facility that might result in the release of hazards into the reclaimed water;

(3)

emergency procedures in case of exceedance of the limit values, identified in accordance with the risk assessment, for hazards in the reclaimed water that might pose a risk;

(4)

emergency procedures linked to regular and exceptional maintenance events (including bypass or overflow);

(5)

procedures and flow charts on how emergencies are communicated between parties (including any emergency procedures to ensure that produce irrigated with potentially contaminated reclaimed water is not placed on the market);

(6)

online tools, sensors and controllers that will trigger real-time alarms based on the monitoring of specific parameters.

(1)

a list with relevant contact information of each party involved, identified only by their duty or position (manager of the reclamation facility, emergency operation centre manager), ensuring compliance with standards for data protection;

(2)

procedures for reporting incidents or emergencies to the competent authorities and end-users;

(3)

procedures for delivering warning notices; a list of information that need to be provided to the different actors in case of an emergency.