A new industry body, Water Reuse Europe, is to promote the use of European products, services, and expertise for water reuse projects worldwide.

The European Union-backed non-profit will offer a range of services to commercial and public organisations, support sharing of best practice, and develop a single voice on public affairs. Its mission is “to create a collective identity for the European water reuse sector, and to promote an innovative and dynamic industry.”

The new organisation’s board of directors is chaired by Paul Jeffrey, professor of water management at Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University.

Jeffrey said: “Water reuse will be an important part of the mix of techniques used to deliver sustainable, innovative and safe water reuse solutions. The global water reuse sector is growing at about 20 per cent a year, and Water Reuse Europe will ensure that European products, services, and expertise are accessible to communities around the world.”

The rest of the board comprises: Philippe Breant, project director at Veolia Research and Innovation, France; Fernando Casado Caneque, director, Centre de Alianzas para el Desarrollo; Marie Raffin, senior research scientist, Thames Water Utilities; Martina Sukopova, project manager, ASIO, Czech Republic; Emmanuel van Houtte, geologist at Intermunicipal Water Company of the Veume Region, Belgium; Jordi Bacardit, innovation support and learning leader at DOW Chemical Iberica; and Kristen Le Corre Pidou, office manager, Water Reuse Europe.

“Water Reuse Europe will provide the support, ambition, and coordination needed rapidly to grow this increasingly important sector over the coming years,” added Breant.