Integrating Spatial Concerns into Water Reuse Regulations: Insights from the European Union and the Iberian Peninsula

Water scarcity in Southern Europe, driven by climate conditions and water-intensive land use, is promoting water reuse adoption. Water reuse regulations are emerging, but little is known about integrating spatial concerns into their contents. This study examines how spatial issues are addressed within water reuse regulations adopted by the European Union (EU), Portugal, and Spain. Through a comparative content analysis, this research explores the inclusion and distribution of key terms related to water drivers, spatial concepts, and land use types within key sections, preamble, objectives, permitting, risk assessment, monitoring, and governance. The findings show that Portugal and Spain exhibit poorer integration of water scarcity compared to the EU, and Portugal does not address it in its objectives. In contrast, broad spatial terms are more prominent in Portugal, while Spain emphasises conservation and environmental areas more. Spatial terms are distributed differently across sections, reflecting different regulatory approaches. Surprisingly, none of the regulations link to plans. They mention risk management plans and, occasionally, circular economy and river basin management plans. Agriculture and urban activities dominate, although Portugal emphasises industry and green areas. This study highlights the need for more spatially informed water reuse regulations.