Sustainable hydroponic cultivation in Uruguay : a case study on the application of rainwater harvesting for ready-to-eat produce operations
Climate change is intensifying water stress by increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events and reducing the predictability of water availability. This situation is worsened by decades of water misuse, poor management, overexploitation, and contamination. Rainwater (RW) harvesting...
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| Autres auteurs: | , , |
| Format: | article |
| Langue: | anglais |
| Publié: |
2025
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| Accès en ligne: | https://catalogo.latu.org.uy/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=32945 |
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| Résumé: | Climate change is intensifying water stress by increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events and reducing the predictability of water availability. This situation is worsened by decades of water misuse, poor management, overexploitation, and contamination. Rainwater (RW) harvesting offers a sustainable strategy to mitigate these challenges by providing a buffer during dry periods, reducing dependence on public water supplies, and ensuring continuous food production. This study focused on harvesting RW from the roof of a hydroponic greenhouse (∼20,000 m3 yr−1) and validating, at a pilot scale, a treatment system to produce safe water suitable for reuse in vegetable production or disinfection processes. The treatment train included two ‘Y’ strainers, a 0.9 µm ceramic membrane, and ultraviolet light at 253.4 nm. The system effectively reduced microbiological indicators (total and fecal coliforms, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and heterotrophic plate counts) to levels that comply with national regulations. Physicochemical parameters also showed positive outcomes: turbidity and conductivity met drinking water standards, while pH values ranged from 6.11 to 6.45 due to natural CO2 in RW —adequate for irrigation, though adjustable for other uses. The system also avoids the release of micro and nanoplastics and the formation of disinfection by-products. Further testing is recommended to assess removal of additional pathogens. This study underscores the value of multi-barrier treatment systems to ensure safe, sustainable water reuse, reduce environmental impacts, and promote efficient resource use. The proposed system strengthens the sustainability of hydroponic food production and supports the achievement of UN sustainable Development Goals: SDG 2 (sustainable agriculture), SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), and SDG 13 (climate action). |
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