Advancing reclaimed water from plans to practice in 2026
In 2026, the SIWat partners decisively from preparation to implementation. The year brings together regulatory analysis, stakeholder dialogue and the first concrete pilot systems that demonstrate how reclaimed water can be used in industrial processes in Finland and Estonia.
This year builds a connected pathway: understanding the rules, identifying real industrial needs and testing solutions in operational environments.
Clarifying the framework for industrial and municipal water reuse
A central task in 2026 is strengthening the knowledge base for reclaimed water use. Project partners are reviewing EU-level requirements alongside national legislation in Finland and Estonia, with the aim of clarifying how reclaimed water can be safely and legally integrated into industrial processes.
At the same time, baseline assessments are carried out to understand current water use patterns across different industrial sectors. Mapping activities and interviews with companies in the Mikkeli and Loo areas help identify potential end-users and define realistic quality requirements for process water. This work ensures that future solutions are grounded in both regulatory reality and industrial (and municipal) practice.
Pilots take shape in Mikkeli and Loo
The most visible progress in 2026 is the start of pilot implementation.
In Mikkeli, a reclaimed water pilot based on membrane bioreactor (MBR) treatment is designed, constructed and brought into operation. The pilot enables reclaimed municipal wastewater to be tested in several industrial and municipality operational uses, generating initial results on water quality, system performance and optimisation needs.
In Loo, Estonia, design and engineering work for an industrial reclaimed water pilot progresses through public tendering and construction. Together, the two pilots form a shared learning environment that supports cross-border comparison and alignment.
Dialogue and awareness across borders and sectors
Technical work is accompanied by continuous communication and engagement. Throughout the year, SIWat shares updates via its website and LinkedIn profile, focusing on reclaimed water fundamentals, regulatory developments and emerging insights from the project.
Targeted information packages are prepared for national and international networks, while dedicated information sessions bring together wastewater treatment plant professionals and decision-makers in both countries. An important meeting point will be the project side event organised in connection with the ETWT 2026 international conference in Mikkeli during Mikkeli Water week 8.-12.6.2026. The side event is organised jointly with two other relevant project, Balt-Plast-Free and BalticPFASResolve, to bring a varied look on the matter of ecological and sustainable water use.
Laying a solid foundation for the next project phases
By the end of 2026, we will have delivered key regulatory reviews, baseline analyses, stakeholder engagement activities and operational pilot systems in both countries. The experiences and data generated during the year will guide evaluation, training and replication activities later in the project.
Follow us for updates on our work at LinkedIn: SIWat | LinkedIn
