About the RECREATE Project

RECREATE Project

Water scarcity is an increasingly prominent hazard across Europe. An integrated, interdisciplinary approach to water resource management is needed for decision making, which looks at the regional and local contexts (regulation, cultural aspects, and socio-economic barriers), assesses the water scarcity situation considering present and future water availability and demand, identifies the most appropriate water resources and addresses the allocation of fit-for-purpose quality.

Where RECREATE is at work

RECREATE works in four Case Studies across Europe, located in 3 of the most water-stressed biogeographical regions of Europe: North Holland (NL); Kalundborg (DK); Syros South Aegean (GR); and Costa Brava (ES). There, RECREATE will demonstrate AWR strategies like rainwater harvesting, seawater and brackish water desalination, water reclamation, and aquifer storage.

Challenges RECREATE addresses

Alternative water resources (AWR) can be a vital part of addressing water scarcity. However, some barriers exist to widespread uptake of AWR. These include: lack of awareness of AWR methods and benefits; gaps in data and tools to bring AWR into integrated management; low cost efficiency compared to conventional water resources; seasonal shifts in water demand and supply; perception of AWR; and governance.

RECREATE Objectives

RECREATE aims to improve the resilience of water supplies and protect the status of natural water resources by facilitating the assessment and inclusion of Alternative Water Resources (AWR) in water management planning for water scarce regions, and to increase awareness and acceptance of and trust in the fundamental role of AWR in climate change adaptation.