Water has a precious value and each drop must be accounted-for in water scarce regions such as Adriatic basin. Therefore, wastewater has to be reclassified as a renewable water resource rather than waste as it helps increase water availability and, at the same time, prevents environmental pollution.

Utilization of this resource requires collection, treatment, and use of all generated wastewater. Although reuse of wastewater is recognized in most water-scarce countries, the reuse of wastewater is still very low.

The primary objective of ECO FLOW is to explore and experiment with potential new applications of the wastewater treatment technology, through the implementation and the replication of the successful pilot plant developed in the previous Re-water project. This replication will span different urban wastewater treatment plants within the Programme area.

Additionally, the project aims to conduct training sessions to enhance skills related to wastewater treatment technology. Secondly, the project aims to apply the wastewater treatment technology through a system to address localized groundwater pollution.

In addition, it is important to stress that in recent decades, climate change has been causing significant issues and substantial environmental damage. One of the most affected sectors is undoubtedly agriculture, which for centuries has operated by exploiting resources to the point of no return. The circular economy is a model of production and consumption that involves sharing, lending, reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling of materials and products for as long as possible. Thus, treated wastewater can become a resource for agriculture.