The Portuguese television channel SIC Noticias has taken an interest in the I-ReWater project, particularly the work being carried out by partners from the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB) and Águas do Norte in the almond tree pilot in Alfândega da Fé.
The main objective of the I-ReWater project is to analyse the current state of water resources in the SUDOE area, focusing on the viability of using reclaimed water for agriculture. The consortium is made up of 16 leading entities in their sector in the Sudoe area, a region covering the Iberian Peninsula, the Principality of Andorra and the South of France.
One of the experiments is being carried out in Alfândega da Fé, where one of the pilot studies led by the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança is located. In this pilot, reclaimed water produced at the local Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is used to irrigate an almond crop. The land has been divided into two plots to compare the impact of irrigation with fresh water versus reclaimed water. This comparison will allow the behaviour of both types of water in the soil to be studied.
Several members of the IPB involved in the pilot project shared their thoughts on the use of reclaimed water and the development of the project in Alfândega da Fé in this report:
- Miguel Campos · Áugas do norte: We believe that this may be another source of water, which is why we joined this pilot project, to demonstrate that this alternative source has great potential for agricultural use.
- António Ribeiro · Polytechnic Researcher from Bragança: We are comparing the use of this type of water with that of fresh water, which is what is normally used for irrigating almond trees.
- Ángelo Rodrigues · Polytechnic Researcher from Bragança: This water may be richer in potassium or phosphorus, for example, which can be a fertiliser supplement. Farmers who use this type of water could therefore reduce their use of fertilisers. However, in some contexts it is necessary to monitor this additional input to avoid possible damage from excessive soil salinisation.
- Luís Jerónimo · Alfândega da Fé Agricultural Cooperative: The north-east in particular is becoming increasingly dry, so any use that can be made of this type of water that we are wasting is a big step forward for agriculture.
