Treatment wetlands in the framework of the revised European Union Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive 2024

The revised European Union Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive 2024/3019 introduces significant changes to the urban wastewater management framework across the European Union. Among its most notable developments are reinforced requirements for nutrient removal, the treatment of micropollutants, the management of urban stormwater, and broader ambitions for energy neutrality and water reuse. In this context, nature-based solutions appear increasingly relevant. Treatment wetlands including vertical flow and hybrid and bioelectrochemical systems offer solutions aligned with these objectives. This article examines recent innovations in constructed wetlands and evaluates their potential role in fulfilling the goals of the new directive, especially for small-scale systems. • Treatment wetlands (TWs) align with the new 2024 European Union Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive targets for small agglomerations. • Continuous developments in TW systems and configurations make them highly efficient. • Advanced TW designs improve nutrient and micropollutant removal. • TWs are suitable for stormwater and combined sewer overflow treatment. • TWs support energy neutrality and treated water reuse strategies.