Policy Brief - Applying Urban Wastewater and Sludge as Nutrients for Agriculture Use

The EU aims to cut nutrient losses by 50% by 2030 to mitigate environmental and health impacts while improving nitrogen and phosphorus management. Key policies include the upcoming Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan (INMAP) and the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD), which promote sustainable agriculture, nutrient recovery, energy-neutral wastewater management, and circular economy practices. This brief explores implementation challenges and opportunities, with insights from the EU Horizon 2020 B-WaterSmart project.