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This paper reviews the current problems and prospects to overcome circular water economy management challenges in European countries. The geopolitical paradigm of water, the water economy, water innovation, water management and regulation in Europe, environmental and safety concerns at water reuse, and technological solutions for water recovery are all covered in this review, which has been prepared in the frame of the COST ACTION (CA, 20133) FULLRECO4US, Working Group (WG) 4. With a Circular Economy approach to water recycling and recovery based on this COST Action, this review paper aims to develop novel, futuristic solutions to overcome the difficulties that the European Union (EU) is currently facing. The detailed review of the current environmental barriers and upcoming difficulties for water reuse in Europe with a Circular Economy vision is another distinctive aspect of this study. It is observed that the biggest challenge in using and recycling water from wastewater treatment plants is dealing with technical, social, political, and economic issues. For instance, geographical differences significantly affect technological problems, and it is effective in terms of social acceptance of the reuse of treated water. Local governmental organizations should support and encourage initiatives to expand water reuse, particularly for agricultural and industrial uses across all of Europe. It should not also be disregarded that the latest hydro politics approach to water management will actively contribute to addressing the issues associated with water scarcity., QC 20230830

Clean water is an essential resource for life, and its demand is continuously increasing with the rapid growth in population, while the freshwater reserves are also depleting. A large amount of wastewater is released by different industries, which is affecting the environment as well as polluting the freshwater reserves. Recycling and treatment of wastewater are highly essential to meet the demand for clean water and to protect the environment. Activated carbon can be used in primary, secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment steps. It can be used to capture pollutants which stop microbial activity or to produce clean water with high purity. About 3 million tons of activated carbon are produced per year and it is mainly used for fluid purification. The objective of this review is to investigate the preparation and production of biochar from lignin which is an important resource available in great quantities (about 100 Million tons per year) and the practical application of it for wastewater treatment. Biochar can be produced through pyrolysis (at temperatures of 600-700 °C) and hydrothermal carbonization (at temperature between 180-300 °C). Subsequent activation can be performed in two ways (physical and chemical), usually at temperatures between 600-800 °C. The quality of biochar and activated carbon produced from lignin-rich residue can be very high, even though the costs also are higher respect to other fossil derived materials (carbon black, lignite and pet coke).