The NEWA2 research project will use demonstration plants to investigate managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and solar-based membrane technology in order to evaluate possibilities for indirect and direct water reuse and their contribution to alleviating local water shortages.
Lima, the capital of Peru and one of the largest desert cities in the world with approximately 10 million inhabitants, faces major challenges in terms of water supply security. Population growth, rapid urbanization, climate change, and overuse of groundwater resources have caused groundwater levels to drop significantly in recent decades, increasingly jeopardizing supply security. Currently, a large proportion of treated wastewater is discharged into the sea, leaving its potential as a resource untapped.
Based on the results of the predecessor project NEWA-LIMA, NEWA 2 aims to demonstrate and transfer innovative solutions for the reuse of treated wastewater, considering two processes: (1) Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) as a form of indirect reuse, and (2) solar-powered membrane technologies (ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis) for direct reuse
Both technologies will be implemented and evaluated in demonstration plants at a wastewater treatment plant in the Chillón-Rímac-Lurín valley to improve Lima's water resilience and demonstrate the potential of the processes for other cities in Peru.
Publications
Fesch, K., Hügler, M., León, C. D., Perez, H., Stauder, S., Xanke, J.: Kontrollierte Grundwasseranreicherung (MAR): Ein Beitrag zur Lösung der Wasserprobleme in Lima, Peru (2025) Abschlussbericht des Projekts NEWA-LIMA. Universität Stuttgart & TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser. Stuttgart und Karlsruhe, März 2025
León, C. D.; Brauer, F.; Hügler, M.; Keller, S.; Kosow, H.; Krauss, M.; Wasielewski, S.; Wienhöfer, J. (Eds.): Integrated Water Management Solutions in the Lurín Catchment, Lima, Peru – Supporting United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6. Final report of the joint project TRUST. University of Stuttgart, ISBN 978-3-00-068498-2 (2021)
http://dx.doi.org/10.18419/opus-11390
Minn, F.; Hügler, M.; Kosow, H.; Kramer, H.; Krauß, M.; León, C. D.; Stauder, S.; Wasielewski, S.: Leitfaden für Konzeption, Aufbau und Betrieb von Schulungs- und Pilotanlagen zur Aufbereitung von Trinkwasser und Reinigung von Abwasser aus einer sozio-technischen Perspektive. Hrsg.: Universität Stuttgart und TZW Karlsruhe (2021)
http://dx.doi.org/10.18419/opus-11793
