Inspirational idea: A sustainable model for reusing water for olive groves
Operational Group REUTIVAR is addressing irrigation challenges linked to climate change
Olives are an essential crop in Andalusia, Spain, serving as the backbone of the social and economic fabric of rural areas. More than 50% of the irrigated agricultural land in Andalusia is dedicated to irrigated olive groves. However, there is a downward trend in forecasts for water resources for irrigation due to climate change. Operational Group REUTIVAR is tackling this issue.
The EU is striving to find sustainable ways to respond to the increasing pressures on water resources due to climate change. The EU Water Reuse Regulation was put in place to make the use of treated wastewater in agricultural irrigation safe, transparent and accessible to farmers. Spain and the region of Andalusia have also developed regulatory frameworks for the promotion of the use of reclaimed water.
Andalusia suffers a water deficit that will worsen in the coming years, as defined by hydrological forecasts. There is a need not only to optimise water use but also to look to new, unconventional water sources to irrigate vital regional crops, notably olives, which are of considerable economic and social importance. Based on the concept of the circular economy, REUTIVAR aimed to create a sustainable irrigation model for olive groves that integrates economic, social and environmental sustainability, technological innovation and stakeholder training.
The focus was on improving the use of treated wastewater and adapting this use to olive production. This was achieved thanks to the application of a high water and energy efficiency precision fertigation system based on remote sensors and the use of ICT. The technology enables a strong reduction in diffuse pollution and reduces the risk associated with the use of wastewater.
REUTIVAR analysed the raw wastewater from a wastewater treatment plant. The project worked on the optimisation of water treatment units, for example, before the water enters the filtration system, the ponds were treated by ultrasound to eliminate microalgae and E. coli.
In a 150-hectare pilot located within the Tintín irrigation community in Montilla (Córdoba), the project irrigated with purified water from this wastewater treatment plant during two irrigation campaigns in 2018 and 2019. It carried out evaluations on physical-chemical, microbiological and agronomic parameters, as well as the levels and types of nutrients present in the soil.
Through this experimentation, the project produced a smart irrigation programming app that can be used by growers for their irrigation schedule. This innovative app measures water and nutrient savings, and calculates the impact on productivity.
The Reutivar App is based on open data, and specifically adapted to the use of treated wastewater. It helps growers to provide the right amount of water at the time when it is most needed, minimising losses and meeting the needs of the crop. It can also make recommendations on fertiliser inputs.
Risk management is an important part of the overall model, including financial implications. It integrates sustainable actions that reduce or avoid contact between pathogens existing in wastewater.
Towards the end of the project, the partners carried out awareness-raising and training activities to share the model throughout the region. The dissemination targeted olive growers and others in the sector who rely on irrigation. Since the end of the Operational Group project in 2020, a multitude of stakeholders (companies, communities and farmers) have visited the facilities and have been interested in the results achieved.
Through this EIP-AGRI project we wanted to promote the contribution of the olive grove to environmental sustainability and the fight to confront the impacts of climate change. Also, through the efficient use of regenerated water, we want to address the water deficit in Andalusia, improving the economic performance of olive groves to increase the creation of wealth, employment and sustainability in rural areas. For this reason, after completing the project, REUTIVAR II has been launched, which aims to go one step further and contribute to the development and strengthening of the Andalusian olive grove, in a context of water scarcity and climate change.