The action of validation of LIFE DrainRain pilots will be completed this September. Over this validation, the performance of the pilot 1, located in Ferrol seaport (Galicia), has been evaluated for more than 25 months of operation between September 2019 and June 2022. The performance of pilot 2, located in RM-714 road of Calasparra (Murcia), has been evaluated after 21 months of operation (between December 2020 until September 2022).
In order to determine the performance of each pilot as well as its treatment units, samples have been taken periodically in rainy periods, both before and after the whole treatment as well as between the different treatment units. Moreover, the stored treated water has been analysed in both rainy and drought conditions.
Both pilots (Ferrol and Calasparra) achieved good removal rates of the main pollutants evaluated. On one hand, Pilot 1 allowed high removals of different pollutants, such as TSS (80 – 100%), E. coli (>99%), heavy metals (75 – 100%), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) (80 – 100%), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) (≥95%) and pesticides (≥95%). In the case of Pilot 2, similar removals have been achieved: TSS
(85 – 98%), E. coli (>99%) and heavy metals (~68%).
As expected, the removal performances of the pollutants were quite different between both pilots, mainly due to the contaminants contained in runoff water (influenced by the activities in the vicinity of each pilot area) and the different climatological conditions of each pilot area. Even though these differences, similar ranges of removals have been found in both pilots.
In addition, the results obtained in both pilots have been reviewed according to Spanish Royal Decree 1620/2007 and Regulation (EU) 2020/741 which stablished the minimum requirements for water reuse. The data obtained over the validation period determined the feasibility of the LIFE DrainRain treated water for urban uses (street cleaning, green areas irrigation, etc.) in Ferrol and agricultural uses (crop irrigation) in Calasparra.