Nearly 40% of the EU population was affected by water scarcity in 2019, and climate change is expected to place even greater pressure on Europe’s freshwater resources. Finding new ways to use water more efficiently is becoming increasingly important – and zoos are no exception. They require large volumes of high-quality water every day to care for animals and maintain habitats, generating significant volumes of wastewater in the process.
The LIFE4ZOO project – a 3.5-year, €2.7 million project that runs until February 2027 – is showing that there is a sustainable way forward. By demonstrating an innovative circular wastewater management system in Czechia and Spain, the project is helping zoos reduce freshwater consumption, lower emissions and become more resilient to water scarcity.
From wastewater to circularity
Rather than treating used water as waste, LIFE4ZOO is keeping it in circulation.
The project has installed a full-scale water recirculation system at Zoo Liberec in Czechia and is developing a pilot system at Zoo Barcelona in Spain. By combining nature-based solutions, advanced filtration and renewable energy, these systems treat and reuse water for animal care, while reducing reliance on freshwater and maintaining high standards of animal welfare.
‘LIFE4ZOO combines nature-based solutions – constructed wetlands, floating vegetation islands – with advanced technologies like ultrafiltration and disinfection to treat used water and safely return it to zoo operations,’ says Linda Frydrychová, LIFE4ZOO Coordinator.
Benefits beyond zoos
The project aims to reduce water consumption by up to 50% at Zoo Liberec, saving around 40 000 cubic metres of water each year. At Zoo Barcelona, the pilot is expected to pave the way for wider deployment across the site, where around 60% of total water use could eventually be met through water reuse alone. The project is also expected to halve the carbon footprint associated with water supply at both zoos, equivalent to 92 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
Although developed for zoos, the technology has much wider potential. The project is creating a model that could be adapted for other visitor attractions and water-intensive facilities, helping organisations across Europe strengthen their resilience to water scarcity while supporting the transition to a more circular economy.
‘LIFE4ZOO offers a practical model for cutting freshwater use through local treatment and reuse, one that works for zoos, parks, ponds and similar sites facing the same water challenges,’ says Linda. ‘It supports the EU’s shift toward treating wastewater as a resource, not waste, easing pressure on drinking water supplies and boosting climate resilience across Europe.’
Supporting Europe’s water resilience
By demonstrating practical solutions for water reuse, LIFE4ZOO contributes to Europe’s efforts to use water more efficiently and adapt to a changing climate. The project supports the EU Directives on Water Framework, Urban Waste Water and Waste Framework, the new integrated framework for European climate resilience and risk management and the EU circular economy action plan. Other projects in this area include: CROSS-LIFE, LIFE-SWITCH2O, HIPPOCRATES and LIFE SALTEAU.
