Treated wastewater: the future of field irrigation

New discovery about the use of treated wastewater. They could provide a solution to the problem of water scarcity in agriculture. A study coordinated by Enea together with the Hera group and the University of Bologna confirms this. The treated waste water could also be useful for the fertilization. This is because they have for plants nourishing properties that are lacking in river or groundwater.

According to the research, 70% of the water needs in the agricultural sector in Romagna can be obtained from water treatment. Drought is not solely responsible. Phenomena like the salty wedge, or rather the salt water that is in the bed of rivers and layers. In fact, the available water for the fields is still decreasing. Well, science is trying to help agriculture.

The aim of the research was the savings Onwater and further fertilizers. So the idea was to use the treated wastewater through thecircular economy. Everything to remedy the lack of water for irrigation. Here, fields of tomatoes and peaches have been watered by the air purifier for two years now Hera from Cesena. All coordinated by an intelligent control and automation unit. By “intelligent” we mean a technological tool to manage and optimize the reuse of the relevant waters.

All based on the quality, water and nutritional needs of crops. Thanks to the purified waste water, there is a saving of 32% nitrogen and 8% phosphorus in the cultivation of peach trees. This is why these waters contain nutrients that are beneficial to plants. The experiment eventually reported the disappearance of the bacterium Escherichia Colic in crops. A turning point in the agricultural sector is therefore expected in the future with the presence of a circular economy.