Challenges in Implementing the Circular Economy for Water Sector in Romania

Abstract

A successful transition to a circular economy of water requires the integration of infrastructure modernization, wastewater reuse, resource recovery, governance coordination, economic incentives and public acceptance. This review assesses the status of circular economy policies and implementation barriers in Romania’s water sector, with emphasis on wastewater reuse and the transition from linear water management to circular water systems. We apply a structured qualitative policy review and document-analysis approach, complemented by descriptive quantitative indicators, cross-country comparison and illustrative scenario calculations. Literature and statistical datasets were analyzed to identify governance, infrastructure, economic and social barriers to circular economy of water (CEW) implementation. Romania remains vulnerable to water stress due to uneven spatial and seasonal water availability, hydrological droughts, incomplete sanitation infrastructure and limited wastewater reuse. In 2024, 77.6% of the resident population was connected to the public water supply network and 60.7% to sewerage systems, both below the 90% targets set under SDG 6.3 for 2030. Annual water demand is approximately 7 km3, which agriculture sector demand increasing, while the estimated potential volume of reclaimed water available for irrigation is 922 million m3/year. Wastewater discharges decreased from 5.71 km3 in 2008 to 1.57 km3 in 2024. The findings show that Romania has adopted important CE policy foundations, including the National Strategy for the Circular Economy and its Action Plan, and must now align implementation with the recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (EU) 2024/3019, Regulation (EU) 2020/741 on water reuse and national SDG commitments. However, CEW remains at an early stage because institutional responsibilities are fragmented, quantitative targets for water circularity are insufficiently operationalized, reuse infrastructure is limited, economic incentives remain weak and public acceptance of reclaimed water is not yet well documented. The paper contributes an integrated governance and implementation framework, a Buzău wastewater-reuse case draw, cross-country lessons and a set of practical actions for developing a functioning reclaimed-water market in Romania.