Closing the cycle by reusing treated wastewater: the role of Prato in the European debate on Circular Economy

Circular economy policies in the management of water, especially at urban level is relevant in order to overcome water scarcity issues and to faster the transition to more sustainable practices. In order to stimulate the transition to circular economy, in 2015, the European Commission has adopted a “Circular Economy Package”, which includes priorities for legislative revision. More recently, by launching the European Green Deal, European Commission aimed to boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a circular economy and stop climate change. Water issues were included in the European debate, involving cities in processes of legislative revision. At European level, the Urban Agenda for the EU was established with the aim to favour the discussion on circular economy at the city level. The Municipality of Prato represented Italy in the EU partnership on circular economy. Prato is one of the largest Italian industrial districts and one of the most important textile production centers in the world. The local centralized water treatment plant also plays one role as best circular practice within the textile district. This paper describe the role of the Municipality of Prato at European level in the process of legislative revision in terms of wastewater reuse.