NEWA2: Water reuse through Managed Aquifer Recharge and solar-based membrane technology to support local water resources in arid metropolitan areas, using Lima, Peru as an example

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), funding programme ‘Environmental Protection Export Initiative’ https://www.exportinitiative-umweltschutz.de/ 

September 2025 to August 2027

Water resources are overexploited in many cities in Peru. This is due to rapid population growth, the effects of climate change and inadequate water supply and sewage infrastructure. The situation is particularly acute in Lima. With around ten million inhabitants, the capital is one of the driest metropolitan areas in the world. Around ten percent of the population is not yet connected to the public supply network.

The NEWA2 research project builds on the results of NEWA-LIMA (2022–2024). While NEWA-LIMA focused in particular on MAR technologies and the application of trickling filter technology – one of the most energy-efficient biological wastewater treatment processes – NEWA2 focuses on improving safe water reuse, further developing and scaling MAR technologies, and using membrane technologies for sustainable water treatment.

The NEWA2 project pursues an integrated approach that combines technological innovation, practical implementation and capacity building. With a vision of a circular economy in water management, the project promotes the efficient use and reuse of water through sustainable solutions. A pilot plant for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and a solar-powered membrane plant demonstrate how wastewater can be efficiently treated and safely returned to the water cycle. Water quality is regularly monitored and treatment efficiency is evaluated.

Another focus is on training local specialists to ensure the long-term operation of the plants. Workshops, dialogue events and a technology forum are also held. In this way, technological innovations are linked with transdisciplinary research approaches to integrate scientific findings and practice-oriented solutions in the field of urban water management.

ZIRIUS's central task in the NEWA2 project is to coordinate the overall project and design the transdisciplinary interfaces between research and practice. A particular focus is on involving local actors in the water sector in Lima in order to link scientific findings, institutional structures and social perspectives.

In addition, ZIRIUS is responsible for scientific and public communication in order to transfer the project results to different social contexts. Information materials (e.g. brochures, videos, online formats) are used to make the findings and experiences from the project accessible to a wider public and to stimulate discussions on sustainable water management and resource use.