The Ministry of Environment maintains that wastewater can be a resource for water, energy and agriculture: “At a time when we are all seeing the effects of water scarcity, Romania supports the reuse of water resources”

Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment, Alexandru Avram, stated at an event organized on the sidelines of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that wastewater should not be treated merely as waste, but as a resource for water, energy, and agriculture.

Avram participated in the launch of the UNEP study “Valuing Nutrients and Wastewater: Transforming Hidden Costs into Investment Opportunities”, which proposes recovering and utilizing nitrogen and phosphorus, with effects on reducing pollution and developing the circular economy.

According to the document, the safe treatment of wastewater could generate global revenues of 10 trillion dollars, approximately 350 billion cubic meters of water annually, and between 3 and 7 million green jobs.

Recovered nutrients could cover more than 13% of the world’s agricultural fertilizer needs.

Romania supports investments in water and sewage networks, modern wastewater treatment plants, and reuse technologies, including through the NRRP and European funds. The Romanian delegation also presented the national experience in reducing nutrient pollution.