The LIFE PRISTINE project was presented during the Nutrient Removal and Recovery (NRR) Conference, one of the flagship events organised by the International Water Association (IWA), celebrated from 17 – 21 of May in Delft.
During the conference, Maria del Mar Micó, project partner from ACCIONA, presented the results obtained from the LIFE PRISTINE pilot demonstration in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) scenario. The presentation focused on the production of Class A reclaimed water, aligned with the requirements of the EU Water Reuse Regulation (EU 2020/741), highlighting the project’s contribution to advancing safe and sustainable water reuse practices.
The results presented also addressed the objectives established under the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (EU 2024/3019). The LIFE PRISTINE solution achieved an average overall removal efficiency of 96% for contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and hormones. In addition, the pilot demonstrated significant removal efficiencies for microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes, reinforcing the potential of the proposed treatment approach to respond to emerging water quality challenges.
NRR2026 conference brought together key stakeholders from across the water sector, including international researchers, industry representatives, practitioners, and policymakers. With strong participation from universities, research centres, companies, and public institutions, the conference provided an important platform to accelerate the transition from scientific research to real-world implementation, supporting the development of more resilient, sustainable, and climate-proof cities.
The participation of LIFE PRISTINE at NRR2026 underlines the project’s commitment to transforming innovative research into practical and scalable solutions for water treatment and reuse. By combining advanced treatment technologies with real operational validation, the project continues to contribute to strengthening water resilience and supporting the transition towards a more sustainable and circular water sector.
