Non-conventional water resource development for agriculture in arid and semiarid regions is of utmost importance in responding to the increasing food demand of the rapidly and ever-growing population

Organisation

Key reasons to attend this course

Develop a comprehensive understanding of how wastewater reuse fits into broader water resource management and planning strategies
Build expertise in assessing wastewater quality and determining its suitability for various irrigation applications
Be aware of current national and international regulatory frameworks governing wastewater reuse practices
Learn to identify and implement cost-effective treatment technologies that ensure safe, fit-for-purpose wastewater reuse
Strengthen your ability to conduct thorough risk assessments for wastewater reuse projects
Discover advanced irrigation techniques and practices using reclaimed water that protect soil health while maintaining optimal crop yields
Explore proven strategies for building public acceptance of wastewater reuse in food production systems
Understand the institutional frameworks and socioeconomic factors critical to successful wastewater reuse initiatives
Gain practical insights through case studies of successful wastewater reuse projects and their implementation strategies

Guest lecturers

Alarcón, Juan José - CEBAS-CSIC, Murcia (Spain)
Al-Hamdi, Mohamed - FAO-RNE, Cairo (Egypt)
Alhariry, Heba - FAO-RNE, Cairo (Egypt)
Allende, Ana - CEBAS-CSIC, Murcia (Spain)
Battilani, Adriano - ANBI, Roma (Italy)
Isidoro, Daniel - Univ. Zaragoza, Teruel (Spain)
Lombard-Latune, Rémi - INRAE, Villeurbane (France)
Mateo-Sagasta, Javier - IWMI, Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Noury, Benjamin – Independent consultant, Tunis (Tunisia)
Pedrero, Francisco - CEBAS-CSIC, Murcia (Spain)
Simón, Pedro - ESAMUR, Murcia (Spain)

Applied approach

Leading experts

Face-to-face and online

Course in English and Spanish with interpretation

Programme

Programme Timetable Brochure
  • 0. Opening session and programme presentation (1 hour)
  • 1. Water reuse in perspective (4 hours)
    • 1.1. Role of wastewater resources in water-scarce conditions
      • 1.1.1. Historical review of the treated wastewater reuse in the agricultural sector
      • 1.1.2. Opportunities and challenges associated with the use of reclaimed water
    • 1.2. The water reuse concept
      • 1.2.1. Wastewater sources
      • 1.2.2. Wastewater fate: direct and indirect use of wastewater and wastewater lost
      • 1.2.3. Integration of wastewater resources in an IWRM scheme
      • 1.2.4. Treated, partially treated and untreated wastewater
    • 1.3. Wastewater and circular economy (sludge, biogas, phosphorus, etc.)
    • 1.4. Debate: experiences in participants’ countries
  • 2. Quality requirements for water reuse and water reclamation treatments (3 hours)
    • 2.1. Quality parameters and potential hazards for water reuse: pathogens, organic compounds, heavy metals, nutrients, salts, emergent contaminants …
    • 2.2. Water reclamation treatments
      • 2.2.1. Wastewater collection, treatment, storage and distribution
      • 2.2.2. Low-cost treatments. Decentralised and extensive reuse technologies
      • 2.2.3. Primary, secondary and tertiary wastewater treatments
      • 2.2.4. Advanced treatments
  • 3. Risk assessment (3 hours)
    • 3.1. One health risk assessment (human, animal and environment)
    • 3.2. Quantitative and Qualitative Risk Assessment Methods
      • 3.2.1. WHO’s Sanitation Safety Planning approach
      • 3.2.2. EC guidelines
      • 3.2.3. HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) adapted for wastewater reuse
    • 3.3. Application of Risk-Based Approaches in Wastewater Management
      • 3.3.1. Identifying critical control points in wastewater treatment and irrigation
      • 3.3.2. Case studies of risk-based decision-making in agriculture
    • 3.4. Practical exercise on Water Reuse Risk Management for Agricultural Irrigation Schemes
  • 4. Implementation of treatment technologies (2 hours)
    • 4.1. Operation and maintenance of water reclamation systems
    • 4.2. Continuous production vs seasonal uses
    • 4.3. Costs and technological efficiency
  • 5. Field implementations to manage crop production system sustainability in arid and semi-arid zones (4 hours)
    • 5.1. Quality of the effluent and choice of the irrigation system and devices
    • 5.2. Effects in the short and long term on crops, soil and land sustainability
      • 5.2.1. Salinity effects
      • 5.2.2. Nutrient management
      • 5.2.3. Crop yield and quality
      • 5.2.4. Emergent contaminants
    • 5.3. Innovative approaches and advanced tools to manage wastewater at Irrigation district level: case in semiarid region
  • 6. Institutional framework and socioeconomic aspects (7 hours)
    • 6.1. Social and economic analysis
      • 6.1.1. Cost-benefit analysis to assess the economic feasibility
      • 6.1.2. Stakeholder and consumer acceptance (markets)
      • 6.1.3. Strategies to promote irrigation with treated wastewater in Europe and throughout the Mediterranean region
    • 6.2. Institutional framework
      • 6.2.1. Inter-sectoral coordination requirements and policy coherence
      • 6.2.2. Development of scenarios for institutional set up/establishment of wastewater reuse management
    • 6.3. Policy Instruments
      • 6.3.1. Public/private partnership
      • 6.3.2. Economic incentives (tariffs, subsidies etc.)
      • 6.3.3. Innovative financing and cost recovery
    • 6.4. Regulations and standards at national and international level: differences between the Arab and Mediterranean countries
    • 6.5. Practical exercise on good agricultural practices reusing wastewater in different socioeconomic contexts
  • 7. Experiences in reclaimed water use (7.5 hours)
    • 7.1. Real case studies
      • 7.1.1. Murcia region (Spain)
      • 7.1.2. Morocco and other Mediterranean countries
      • 7.1.3. Italy region
      • 7.1.4. ReWater-MENA project
      • 7.1.5. Artificial Intelligence to detect WWTP to support reuse planning
      • 7.1.6. Reuse of agriculture drainage in Egypt
    • 7.2. Practical exercise: participatory processes for wastewater reuse projects
  • 8. Conclusions and messages to take home (0.5 hours)
  • 9. Technical visit to wastewater treatment plants and to an irrigation area using wastewater

Train at an outstanding international institution

Registration

The course is designed for professionals with a university degree and is aimed at public and private professionals involved in water decision making, management, treatment, reuse, technical consultancy and research in the agricultural sector.

-25 places will be available for face-to-face participation (lectures, practical work, case studies, and technical visit).
-25 places will be available for online participation (lectures and case studies).

Knowledge of English or Spanish will be valued in the selection of candidates, since they will be the working languages of the course. The Organisation will provide simultaneous interpretation of the lectures in these two languages.

Candidates may apply online at the following address: https://www.admission.zaragoza.ciheam.org/en/

Applications must include the curriculum vitae and a copy of the supporting documents most related to the subject of the course.

The deadline for the submission of applications is 27th July 2025. The deadline may be extended for candidates not requiring a visa and not applying for a grant if there are free places available.

Applications from candidates requiring authorisation to attend the course may be accepted provisionally.

Registration fees for the course amount to 500 euro for face-to-face participation and 350 euro for online participation. This sum covers tuition fees only.

Candidates from Mediterranean CIHEAM member countries (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Türkiye), other neighbouring countries (Jordan, Libya and Palestinian Territories), and ICARDA Middle East and North Africa partners, may apply for financial support covering registration fees, and for scholarships covering the cost of travel and full board accommodation in Zaragoza.

Preference will be given to candidates from low- and middle-income countries. Candidates that wish to request financial support should complete the relevant section when making their online application to participate in the course.

Candidates from other countries who require financial support should apply directly to other national or international institutions.

It is compulsory for participants to have medical insurance valid for Spain. Proof of insurance cover must be given at the beginning of the course. Those who so wish may participate in a collective insurance policy taken out by the Organisation, upon payment of the stipulated sum.

CIHEAM Zaragoza

Av. Montañana 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain

www.zaragoza.ciheam.org

iamz@zaragoza.ciheam.org

+34 976716000

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