Keynote speaker: Dr Paola Verlicchi, University of Ferrara, Italy
 

Title of the speech: Quaternary treatments in the upgrading of WWTPs in accordance with the recent UWWTD: micropollutant removal and operation reliability

 

Session Description / Call for Papers:

The revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (EU Directive 2024/3019) represents a significant policy milestone, placing greater emphasis on the removal of micropollutants and contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) from urban wastewater. The Directive outlines new treatment requirements and introduces an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanism to support the transition to safer and more sustainable water management across Europe.

 

This special session at CEST2025 aims to gather researchers, water professionals, technology developers, and policymakers to share knowledge, tools, and experiences in the monitoring, removal, and risk assessment of micropollutants within the framework of urban wastewater reuse and circular economy principles.

 

We welcome contributions in the following thematic areas:

  • Advanced treatment technologies for the removal of micropollutants (e.g., ozonation, activated carbon, AOPs, membranes)
  • Occurrence, fate, and behavior of emerging contaminants in urban wastewater
  • Analytical methods for detection and monitoring of pharmaceuticals and other micropollutants
  • Treatment train design and process optimization to comply with EU 2024/3019 requirements
  • Micropollutant removal in the context of water reuse for agriculture, urban, and industrial applications
  • Risk assessment and environmental safety of reclaimed water
  • Cost-benefit analysis for quaternary treatment of wastewater
  • Nature-based solutions and integrated approaches for contaminant reduction
  • Policy, governance, and financing frameworks—including Extended Producer Responsibility
  • Case studies and best practices from utilities and municipalities
  •  

Keywords: Urban Wastewater Directive 2024/3019; micropollutants; emerging contaminants; quartenary treatment; water reuse; wastewater reuse; EPR; wastewater regulation, water safety

 

Submission Info:
Submit your abstract (500 words) or paper (max 2 pages) via the CEST2025 abstract submission portal. When submitting, select the special session titled “Micropollutant Removal and Circular Water Reuse: Challenges and Opportunities under the Revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.”


Guidelines for authors are available at https://cest.gnest.org/cest2025/guidelines-authors-and-participation-options. Submission link: https://cms.gnest.org/

 

For more information, please contact Dr Eleftheria Klontza, eleftheria.klontza@aegean.gr