Imagine islands in Greece where tourists flush toilets, rain falls on roofs, and the sea is right there — but there's never enough fresh water. HYDROUSA built systems that catch all of that water and clean it using constructed wetlands, solar-powered condensers, and composting reactors, then send it back to farms, greenhouses, and taps. Think of it as a recycling plant, but for every drop of water on an island. They proved it works on 3 real Greek islands and drew up plans to copy it in 25 more locations worldwide.
By the numbers
3
Greek islands used as full-scale demonstration sites
25
additional locations worldwide with detailed deployment plans
32
consortium partners across the project
10
countries represented in the consortium
15
industry partners in the consortium
12
SMEs participating in the project
41
total project deliverables produced
The business problem
What needed solving
Mediterranean islands and coastal areas face chronic water scarcity — demand spikes during tourist season, municipal systems can't keep up, and importing freshwater is expensive. Meanwhile, wastewater, rainwater, and seawater go unused or poorly managed. Businesses in tourism, agriculture, and water utilities pay a premium for water while waste streams that could be recycled are dumped.
The solution
What was built
The project built and operated full-scale water recycling systems on 3 Greek islands: constructed wetlands (including bio-electrified and aerated versions), a closed-vessel composting reactor with nature-based odour removal, a Mangrove Still that turns saltwater into greenhouse irrigation water, rainwater harvesting systems, and PV-driven atmospheric water condensation units. A total of 41 deliverables were produced, including detailed deployment plans for 25 additional locations.
Audience
Who needs this
Island hotel and resort operators facing water shortagesMediterranean greenhouse growers dealing with saltwater intrusionMunicipal water utilities serving coastal or island communitiesEco-tourism developers building off-grid or sustainable propertiesAgricultural cooperatives in water-scarce Mediterranean regions
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Tourism & Hospitality
mid-size
Target: Hotel chains and resort operators on Mediterranean islands
If you are a resort operator dealing with chronic water shortages and expensive water trucking during peak tourist season — this project demonstrated full-scale water loops on 3 Greek islands that recover freshwater from wastewater, rainwater, and even atmospheric vapour. The systems include rainwater harvesting, constructed wetlands, and PV-driven water condensation units that can supply your property year-round while cutting dependence on municipal supply.
Agriculture & Greenhouses
SME
Target: Mediterranean greenhouse growers and irrigation companies
If you are a greenhouse operator or irrigator struggling with saltwater intrusion and rising water costs — this project built a Mangrove Still that evaporates saltwater and condenses it into freshwater to feed greenhouses, creating tropical growing conditions. Combined with fertigation systems that recover nutrients from wastewater, you get both water and fertilizer from waste streams instead of buying them.
Municipal Water & Waste Management
any
Target: Water utilities and waste management companies serving island or coastal communities
If you are a municipal utility serving a coastal community where wastewater treatment is expensive and water is scarce — this project demonstrated constructed wetlands with bio-electrification and aerated systems, plus closed-vessel composting reactors that turn sewage sludge into compost using nature-based odour removal. Deployment plans exist for 25 additional locations worldwide, meaning the engineering is already documented for replication.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What does a system like this cost to install?+
The project data does not include specific cost figures. However, the objective explicitly states these are 'low-cost water treatment technologies,' and detailed financial deployment plans were created for replication in 25 locations. A potential buyer should request the financial deployment plans from the consortium.
Can these systems work at industrial scale, not just as lab demos?+
Yes — this was an Innovation Action that demonstrated at large scale on 3 major touristic islands in Greece (Lesvos and 2 others). The deliverables describe full-scale constructed wetlands, prototype composting reactors, and installed water condensation units, all operating in real conditions. These are not lab experiments.
Who owns the IP and can I license these technologies?+
The consortium includes 32 partners across 10 countries, with 15 industry partners and 12 SMEs. IP ownership is typically shared under Horizon 2020 rules, with each partner owning their contribution. Contact the coordinator (National Technical University of Athens) or specific technology providers within the consortium for licensing terms.
Do these systems meet EU water reuse regulations?+
The project was funded under Horizon 2020 circular economy topics (CIRC-02-2016-2017) and operated within EU regulatory environments across Greece. Based on available project data, the systems were designed for Mediterranean regulatory contexts, but specific compliance certifications should be confirmed with the consortium.
How long does it take to get a system running?+
The demo deliverables describe full construction, installation, and start-up phases for constructed wetlands, composting reactors, and Mangrove Stills. The project ran from 2018 to 2023, with prototypes installed and operating during that period. Replication deployment timelines would depend on site-specific conditions — the 25-location deployment plans likely include estimated timelines.
Can this integrate with existing water infrastructure?+
The systems were designed to work with non-conventional water sources including wastewater, rainwater, seawater, groundwater, and atmospheric vapour. The project combined these with aquifer storage and existing agricultural practices like fertigation, suggesting integration with existing infrastructure was a design priority. ICT-based automation and control systems were included.
Is there ongoing technical support available?+
The project closed in June 2023, but the consortium of 32 partners — including 15 industry companies and 6 universities — represents a deep knowledge base. The coordinator, National Technical University of Athens, and the industry partners who built the prototypes are the logical contacts for technical support and commercial deployment.
Consortium
Who built it
HYDROUSA's consortium of 32 partners from 10 countries is unusually large and industry-heavy for a water project. With 15 industry partners (47% of the consortium) and 12 SMEs, this is not an academic exercise — it was built to be deployed commercially. The mix spans Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Egypt, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, and the UK, giving it Mediterranean focus with Northern European engineering depth. The coordinator is the National Technical University of Athens, Greece's top engineering school, which anchors the academic credibility. For a business buyer, this means there are multiple technology providers within the consortium who built real systems and have commercial incentives to sell or license them.
The coordinator is National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Greece. SciTransfer can help identify the right person and facilitate an introduction.
Want to explore water recycling solutions from HYDROUSA for your island, resort, or coastal facility? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the technology providers in the consortium — contact us for a tailored briefing.
