Result description
In Agadir City, in the South of Morocco, the L’Mzar wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) treats 75000 m3/day of municipal wastewater. The process starts with a primary treatment using anaerobic decantation basins, followed by secondary treatment by infiltration percolation and a tertiary treatment using UV lamps. In the framework of MADFORWATER, the treated wastewater produced by the L’Mzar plant is re-used for the irrigation of olive trees using innovative calibrated nozzles and a new approach for irrigation scheduling (SIM).
The objectives of this research are:
– Evaluation of the feasibility of using innovative calibrated nozzles for olive trees irrigation using treated wastewater
– Comparison between irrigation with the innovative calibrated nozzles and standard drip irrigation, in terms of hydraulic performances, life cycle assessment and cost-benefit analysis
– Calibration of the SIM irrigation model to the local conditions.
The M’Zar treatment plant delivers high-quality treated wastewater, thanks to the very high removals obtained for BOD (97.5%), COD (98.8%), total nitrogen (63.7%), phosphorus (98.8%) and turbidity (98.6%). Fecal coliforms are always below 100 CFU/mL, and close to zero in most samples. After 6 months of olive trees irrigation with this water, no sign of clogging was observed in the innovative calibrated nozzles. These irrigation devices were characterized by a very high (88-90%) emission uniformity, a measure of how uniformly water is applied to the area being watered.
Addressing target audiences and expressing needs
- To raise awareness and possibly influence policy
- Help in technical expertise
- Other type of Investment
The targeted audience is represented by farmers, irrigation associations, basin authorities and companies active in the irrigation field. Agriculture is the main water user in many regions in Morocco. The national water plan in Morocco aims at reusing over 300 million m3/y of treated wastewater, therefore the results of this pilot could upscaled to other regions of Morocco.
- Public or private funding institutions
- EU and Member State Policy-makers
- International Organisations (ex. OECD, FAO, UN, etc.)
- Research and Technology Organisations
- Academia/ Universities
- Private Investors
R&D, Technology and Innovation aspects
Result submitted to Horizon Results Platform by ALMA MATER STUDIORUM – UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA
