FRESHMAN and RECREATE join forces in Costa Brava for knowledge exchange on water reuse
On 20 October 2025, RECREATE partners in the Costa Brava case study welcomed a delegation from Dunea Duin & Water and KWR Water Research Institute as part of the FRESHMAN project – an EU-funded LIFE initiative coordinated by Dunea that explores innovative approaches for sustainable freshwater management in dune areas. The water company Dunea supplies drinking water to 1.3 million people in The Hague and surrounding municipalities (southwest Netherlands), using a managed aquifer recharge system in the coastal dunes of Solleveld, Meijendel and Berkheide.
The visit formed part of a broader exchange between FRESHMAN and RECREATE, both addressing challenges of water scarcity and climate adaptation through the use of alternative water resources. The Costa Brava site was selected as a learning case due to its advanced experience in wastewater reclamation and desalination, and its ongoing demonstration activities under RECREATE.
During the morning session, Dr. Wolfgang Gernjak from ICRA, who leads the Costa Brava case study, guided visitors through the Roses pilot plant of the AIGUANEIX project, operated by Consorci d’Aigües Costa Brava Girona (CACBGi). The pilot showcases a multi-barrier water-purification process combining ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation to produce high-quality reclaimed water suitable for indirect potable reuse and aquifer recharge.
In the afternoon, Mr. Digu Aruchamy, RECREATE Project Coordinator from Eurecat, presented the project’s overarching goals, its digital decision-support framework and initial results from the treated water quality analysis of the pilot plant in Roses. Following this, Mr. Lluís Sala from CACBGi presented a comprehensive analysis of the current scenario of water availability and challenges in the Costa Brava region, outlining the strategies implemented by CACBGi to ensure water supply and sanitation services across its municipalities, including the project AIGUANEIX.
Lastly, Dr. Klaasjan Raat from KWR, together with Dr. Franca Kramer and Mr. Ruud Steenbeek from Dunea, presented the main findings of the FRESHMAN project and learned lessons from sustainable drinking-water supply management through dune infiltration systems. These insights sparked lively discussions on how experiences from the Netherlands could inform Mediterranean water-management practices.
The meeting fostered an in-depth discussion on complementarities between FRESHMAN, AIGUANEIX and RECREATE, particularly in how these projects contribute to the European agenda on circular water management and climate resilience. Partners exchanged insights on policy and regulatory frameworks governing alternative water use in the Netherlands and Spain, highlighting opportunities for alignment and mutual learning.
The three consortia expressed a shared interest in continuing collaboration through joint activities and policy dialogues, aiming to accelerate the safe and reliable uptake of alternative water resources across Europe.
For more information:
FRESHMAN: https://www.life-freshman.eu
RECREATE: https://recreate4water.eu
AIGUANEIX: https://aiguaneix.cacbgi.cat
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