The participatory workshop in Braunschweig was held as a dual workshop together with the H2020 project NextGen in order to maximise the engagement of all relevant stakeholders. The participatory workshop took place at the wastewater treatment plant in Braunschweig on 13th of June 2019. More than 55 relevant stakeholders from various sectors (water and agriculture authorities, wastewater treatment plant operators, water associations, research institutes, farmers’ associations, farmers, fertiliser industry) were identified and invited to the workshop.
The workshop was divided into two sessions. During the morning session experts from different sectors (water, agriculture, socio-economic) presented their knowledge to the audience regarding water reuse, nutrient recovery and policy. The afternoon session of the workshop started with an on-site visit of the wastewater treatment plant which was followed by an open discussion using the world café methodology.The visit illustrated the technical complexity of the water reclamation and the efforts put into this topic by the operator.
The participatory workshop aimed to identify challenges and opportunities of the in Braunschweig implemented water reuse scheme regarding the EU proposal for water reuse in agriculture. Both technical as socio-economic issues were considered in order to adjust the Braunschweig water reuse scheme to future developments and to ensure reclaimed water supply for the local farmers.
In particular the challenges and opportunities of the EU proposal for water reuse were discussed regarding the Braunschweig water reuse scheme. As introduction and preparation for open discussion a presentation was held about the EU proposal and its possible consequences for Braunschweig.
The current situation of the Braunschweig water reuse scheme was mapped out to all stakeholders in form of a presentation. The general director of AV-BS explained the challenges in the last summers due to increasing negative climate balances (see figure 1 and 2 below) and emphasised the importance of water reclamation for the Braunschweig region. Furthermore the legal and regulatory framework was illustrated showing that AV-BS applied successfully all required national directives. The presentation gave a technical and legal background to all workshop participants about the features of the Braunschweig water reuse scheme.
During the workshop, all stakeholders emphasized the importance of water reclamation for the Braunschweig region regarding farmers’ need of irrigation water, protection of natural resources and closed water cycles. The main future challenge pointed out by the stakeholders is the elimination of micropollutants such as pharmaceutical residues and the elimination of antibiotic resistant microorganism. The guarantee of save reclaimed water regarding micropollutants and microorganism are crucial for the success of the reuse scheme and its promotion towards agriculture, authorities and public.
The most relevant stakeholders among all participants were identified and invited to bring in their ideas into the workshop. The relevant stakeholders were very engaged and are very interested to be part of the next meetings of the Regional Working Group.
Download here all the files about the workshop:
- Programme.
- The Braunschweig water reuse scheme presentation, Bernhard Teiser (AV-BS).
- Nutrient recovery plant KlärWert presentation, Oliver Hermanussen (PFI) and Felix Brennecke (SEBS).
- SUWANU EUROPE project presentation, Mirko Hänel (TTZ).
- NextGen project presentation, Christian Remy (KWB).
- From WWTP to agriculture: experiences of a farmer presentation, Andreas Muskolus (IASP).
- The EU proposal for water reuse presentation, Björn Ebert (ISOE).
- HydroAir presentation, Stefan Scholz (HYDRO-AIR international irrigations systems GmbH)