LIFE REWAINCER is a European demonstration project that promotes a new model for the management of reclaimed water: it treats urban wastewater for direct reuse in the ceramic industry, reducing the extraction of water from aquifers in Castellón.
A demonstrative industrial-scale pilot plant has been designed, connected between the Cabanes WWTP and the atomized powder factory of the SAMCA ceramic industry, in order to validate the technical, economic and environmental viability of the use of reclaimed water in real ceramic production processes.
The La Plana aquifer in Castellón is suffering from water stress due to over-extraction of freshwater, and the ceramics industry has a high water demand. There is a need for a sustainable alternative water source that does not depend exclusively on groundwater.
Implementation of a water regeneration plant using membrane technologies at the Cabanes WWTP.
Distribution network that connects the regeneration plant with the SAMCA ceramic plant for continuous supply of regeneration water.
Monitoring of performance and impact on the aquifer.
Production of approximately 8 m³/h of regenerated water for industrial use.
Estimated reduction of more than 70.000 m³/year in extractions from the La Plana aquifer.
Economic savings in the ceramic industry: less water usage, lower energy consumption and additives (~ €100.000/year according to estimates).
Design of a replicable model: the solution is expected to be replicated in at least 7 additional ceramic plants within five years after the end of the project.
