Water is an essential production factor in agriculture. Climate change has a significant impact on agriculture in terms of water quantity and quality with increasing competition for the use of scarce fresh water, in particular in the Mediterranean region. Extreme events such as droughts imply shortage in water availability for agriculture and leads to yield reductions and quality losses. To ensure food security access to sufficient water supply of good quality is essential. The use of alternative water sources in European agriculture, in particular for irrigation could help to reduce the pressure on surface and ground water use. Efficient water reuse in irrigation – a solution in line with the circular economy concept.Water reuse in EU agriculture is a reality, but its potential is still underexploited- There is a need to overcome today’s consumers negative perception of crops grown by using treated waste water for irrigation. The “new water” out of treated waste (and processed) water has to be safe to use and free from harmful substances. It must have a competitive price.
1. From waste water to "New Water"
Description: Water is an essential production factor in agriculture. Climate change has a
significant impact on agriculture in terms of water quantity and quality with increasing
competition for the use of scarce fresh water, in particular in the Mediterranean region.
Extreme events such as droughts imply shortage in water availability for agriculture and
leads to yield reductions and quality losses. To ensure food security access to sufficient
water supply of good quality is essential. The use of alternative water sources in European
agriculture, in particular for irrigation could help to reduce the pressure on surface and
ground water use. Efficient water reuse in irrigation – a solution in line with the circular
economy concept. Water reuse in EU agriculture is a reality, but its potential is still
underexploited- There is a need to overcome today’s consumers negative perception of
crops grown by using treated waste water for irrigation. The “new water” out of treated
waste (and processed) water has to be safe to use and free from harmful substances. It must
have a competitive price.
Reference URL: http://energy.wesrch.com/paper-details/pdf-TR1AU1G3HVYRU-from-waste-wa
ter-to-new-water
