The Galician newspaper La Voz de Galicia recently published a report highlighting the positive results achieved so far in the I-ReWater project to demonstrate the reliability of this resource for agricultural irrigation. ‘It is safe water with viability,’ explains Javier Cancela, project coordinator and head of the hop trials in Abegondo (Galicia) and Cubillos del Sil (Castile and León), in statements to the newspaper.
The second irrigation campaign is currently underway in both experimental areas. The reclaimed water was taken from the treatment plant in Lugo to Cubillos del Sil, a municipality in the Bierzo region, and transported from the Carballo treatment plant for the trial in Galicia.
In Cubillos del Sil, in addition to the trial with reclaimed water from the walled city, a comparison is being made with water from an irrigation canal, and in Abegondo, water from a well is being used. With weekly transport, 11,000 litres of water left Lugo and were stored in eleven tanks, each with a capacity of 1,000 litres. In Abegondo there is only one tank, which can store 10,000 litres.
Microbiological controls carried out every fortnight and a continuous monitoring system have allowed conclusions to be drawn. No problems have been observed in the field or in crop development, and Cancela even points out that in tastings carried out with beer whose hops were irrigated with this water, no details were noticed that distinguished it from others irrigated with natural sources.
I-ReWater’s research is demonstrating that the use of reclaimed water in agricultural irrigation is a safe and effective alternative with the potential to respond to current challenges related to water scarcity. Through trials carried out under real conditions, the quality of reclaimed water and its impact on crops are being evaluated, concluding that it is effective for reuse in agriculture.
Read the full report: https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/somosagro/agricultura/2025/07/22/lugo-demuestra-valor-agua-regenerada-regar-tierras-agricolasspan-langgle-unha-auga-seguraspan/00031753205197794413429.htm
