
Reuse of wastewater from olive tree industry for irrigation using ‘dry drainage’
4 June, 2050

H2OliveTree
Waste water source
Waste water source is the water used in the olives cleaning process. This is caustic water with a high salt concentration.
Distribution System
Each test will use a 5 m³ tank that will be filled from the rafts with a tank truck. By irrigation programmer and solenoid valve, drip irrigation will be applied. Water will be distributed through distribution pipes and drip holders with built-in drippers of 2.2 L h-1 separated 1 m. To guarantee flow and pressure. The annual volume will be 1,500 m³/ha, equivalent to a dose of 7.5 m³ per olive tree and 30 m³ per test unit of 4 olive trees.
Farming system
The wastewater will be use to irrigate olive trees. This projects studies the effect of the use of wastewater coming from the olive industry. This water is high in caustic soda and brine. Therefore, “dry drainage” will be tested. This implies that some area of fallow land operate as evaporative sinks drawing a flux of water and salt from the irrigated fields.
Waste water treatment description
Nutrient removal : none
Pesticide removal : none
Disinfection : none
Suspended solids removal : none
Other :
Capacity
The annual volume will be 1,500 m³/ha, equivalent to a dose of 7.5 m³ per olive tree and 30 m³ per test unit of 4 olive trees.
Extent of the agricultural beneficiaries
8 farms are involved within the research project to apply the reclaimed water from the olive industry.
Costs
Type of agreement
The use of reclaimed water as described in this initiative has been aproved by the Regional Government after some research. It is already under exploitation in Marchena and other locations.
Scientific results
Additional information
This project is analysing the effects of using olive manufacturing process in irrigating olives trees.