Feasibility and Local Perceptions About Treated Wastewater Reuse for Irrigation: Insights from the Prato Circular City Framework (Italy)

The reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation is increasingly considered a strategic response to water scarcity and climate change, particularly in Mediterranean regions. This study examines the local feasibility and social acceptance of water reuse within the framework of Regulation (EU) 2020/741, focusing on its implementation in Italy. The research combines policy analysis, technical assessment of effluent quality from the GIDA wastewater treatment plant (Prato, Tuscany), GIS-based spatial evaluation, and a mixed-method survey of local agri-food producers. Results show substantial compliance with EU minimum quality requirements, alongside additional constraints arising from national regulatory thresholds. Survey findings reveal cautious but tangible openness among farmers toward reclaimed water use, particularly in response to increasing climate-related pressures. The case of Prato is further analysed within the Prato Circular City and local food policy frameworks, highlighting the role of participatory governance and multi-actor engagement in supporting reuse initiatives. The study contributes empirical evidence on the interaction between EU regulation, national implementation measures, and local socio-institutional conditions shaping peri-urban water reuse systems. Furthermore, it serves as a preliminary framework for future economic feasibility studies and the subsequent regulatory and permitting phases required to operationalize this practice.