Table 1 Classes of reclaimed water quality, permitted agricultural use, irrigation method and reclaimed water quality requirements for agricultural irrigation according to new EU Regulation (2020/741) [4]

Crop category (*)

All food crops consumed raw where the edible part is in direct contact with reclaimed water and root crops consumed raw

Food crops consumed raw where the edible part is produced above ground and is not in direct contact with reclaimed water, processed food crops and non-food crops including crops used to feed milk- or meat-producing animals

Food crops consumed raw where the edible part is produced above ground and is not in direct contact with reclaimed water, processed food crops and non-food crops including crops used to feed milk- or meat-producing animals

Industrial, energy and seeded crops

Irrigation method

All irrigation methods

All irrigation methods

Drip irrigation (**) or other irrigation method that avoids direct contact with the edible part of the crop

All irrigation methods (***)

Indicative technology target

Secondary treatment, filtration and disinfection

Secondary treatment and disinfection

Secondary treatment and disinfection

Secondary treatment and disinfection

Quality requirements

 E. coli

(number/100 mL)

\(\le\) 10

\(\le\) 100

\(\le\) 1000

\(\le\) 10,000

 BOD₅

(mg/L)

\(\le\) 10

In accordance with Directive 91/271/EEC (Annex I, Table 1)

 TSS

(mg/L)

\(\le\) 10

In accordance with Directive 91/271/EEC (Annex I, Table 1)

 Turbidity

(NTU)

\(\le\) 5

–

–

–

 Other

Legionella spp.: < 1000 CFU/L where there is a risk of aerosolisation

Intestinal nematodes (helminth eggs): ≤ 1 egg/L for irrigation of pastures or forage