After asking ourselves what are the problems faced by water scarcity areas, we came up with answers with the same mind set of circular and nature-inspired technologies. We want to solve the water supply issue, the wastewater problem, the biodiversity and nutrient loss, the availability of jobs (mainly in the high touristic season), and the flush of difficulties that infrastructure has to deal with at the peak of the touristic season, resulting in the unsustainable water demand. The existing utilization of non-conventional water resources at ELT and the upgrades through HYDROUSA, like rainwater for low purity water demand (toilet flushing, irrigation, washing machine, etc.), cistern storage in winter to reduce stress on aquifer during touristic season, the low water consumption devices (e.g. ultralow flush toilets, air injected tabs or localized irrigation), address thoroughly the provision site. The main objective of HYDROUSA is to offer a set of solutions for these problems that are easily adaptable and replicable to other possible circumstances around the world. This overall aim will be achieved by accomplishing the following project specific objectives:
Demonstrate that circular nature-based technologies work for supplying fresh water from non-conventional water sources.
Demonstrate that circular nature-based technologies work for wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery, while creating further environmental and societal benefits.
Show that the applied technologies are feasible within existing (legal) constraints and create economic return, hence create jobs and boost the economy.
Make sure that the community and stakeholders are engaged in all parts of the value chain from the very beginning.
Prove that skilled workmanship combined with modern ICT solutions create resilient and attractive long-lasting systems.
Establish the water-energy-food-employment nexus and work with true cost accounting as tool for circular economy assessment.
Replicate this concept to as many other places as possible with additional funding and spread the good news.
To effectively deal with the demand side of unsustainable water consumption through the utilization of unconventional water resources in agriculture and for domestic use.