On 23 March, Paço de Calheiros, in Ponte de Lima, hosted the international workshop “Integrated Local-Scale Approaches to Water Reuse”, organised by CIIMAR’s project CIRQUA, in collaboration with the Ponte de Lima Higher Agricultural School (IPVC) and the CMIA in Vila do Conde.
The event brought together around 40 participants, including researchers, technical experts and decision-makers, to share ideas and discuss innovative strategies for the reuse and recovery of wastewater. The meeting was attended by several leading organisations in the sector, including the Minho Intermunicipal Community (CIM-Minho), Águas do Norte and the Northern Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-Norte).
The programme culminated in a round-table discussion on the opportunities and challenges associated with the circular water economy at a local level. The debate highlighted the crucial role of applied research in promoting more sustainable models of water resource management, which are particularly relevant in a context of growing pressure on water resources due to climate change.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit the on-site wastewater treatment facility. This facility incorporates a Phyto-WWTP, supplemented by a nanofilter and a photocatalytic module – advanced technological solutions developed as part of the CIRQUA project, which hold great potential for enhancing treatment efficiency and enabling the safe reuse of water in agriculture and food production.
This workshop reinforces the CIRQUA project’s commitment to demonstrating innovative solutions that combine scientific rigour with practical application, contributing to more sustainable and resilient water resource management.
For further information, please visit the CIRQUA project page.
