DROP2CROP _ INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES ENABLING ALTERNATIVE WATER CYCLES FOR NEXT GENERATION EU AGRICULTURE: RECLAIMED DROPS INTO HEALTHY CROPS

EU agriculture faces growing water scarcity, aggravated by climate change and the spread of emerging contaminants such as
pharmaceuticals, PFAS, microplastics, antibiotic resistance drivers. Despite the Water Reuse Regulation (EU 2020/741), the UWTD (EU
2024/3019), the uptake of circular water management remains limited due to technological, regulatory, and societal barriers.
DROP2CROP addresses these challenges by developing and validating a modular treatment system capable of removing complex
pollutants from diverse wastewater sources (urban, livestock, aquaculture), with high risk to contain ECs, making them safe for
agricultural reuse. Three demonstration sites in Italy (AMAG WWTP, Piemonte), Spain (pig farm, Cataluña), Türkiye (aquaculture, Izmir)
will test the reuse of treated water for tomato and lettuce irrigation under real-world conditions. Risk Assessment and Monitoring will
cover crop yield, soil health, contaminant uptake, irrigation efficiency, generating robust data to reassure farmers, regulators, and
consumers. Advanced adsorption materials derived from waste agricultural by-products and natural minerals, innovative ozonation,
ion exchange, and bio-based polishing technologies will ensure high removal efficiency while lowering costs. In parallel, DROP2CROP
will co-create business models, policy recommendations, and training materials with farmers, utilities, and regional authorities to
enhance adoption. Through its multi-actor approach, the project integrates technological, agronomic, environmental, economic, and
social sciences, ensuring solutions are practical, trusted, and adaptable across Europe. By reducing freshwater abstraction,
safeguarding soil and food safety, and strengthening resilience to droughts, DROP2CROP will enable sustainable pathways for scaling
circular water management in agriculture, directly contributing to the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, and Zero Pollution
objectives