Shreya G. Patel, Punita S. Parikh, Pinaki H. Parmar and Nayan M. Nimavat
Abstract
The escalating global population and changing climate patterns have magnified the concerns over water scarcity, underscoring the urgency for innovative water management strategies. Significantly, agriculture, consuming nearly 70% of global freshwater, demands immediate attention in this crisis. This research delves into the prospect of utilizing wastewater from Reverse Osmosis (RO) - a prevalent water purification technique - as a sustainable irrigation alternative. While RO operations traditionally discharge 20-30% of their feed water as brine, enriched with minerals and salts, its application in agriculture is being re-evaluated. Used judiciously, this âwasteâ can supply vital micronutrients to plants and decrease freshwater usage in agriculture. However, the challenges are manifold, from managing salt levels to ensuring crop safety from pollutants. Our in-depth analysis advocates that, with meticulous treatment and oversight, RO wastewater holds promise as a pivotal tool in alleviating agricultureâs freshwater dependence, steering towards a sustainable water future. To solidify this proposal, we conducted a targeted study to evaluate the feasibility of using RO wastewater as an irrigation source for growing Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek). Through systematic pot experiments, vital plant parameters such as root and shoot lengths, Leaflet metrics, and weight variations were juxtaposed between RO wastewater and control water treatments after these measurements, a soil analysis was conducted to assess the impact of RO wastewater treatment on soil. The results provide insights into the potential benefits and implications of integrating RO wastewater into agriculture, presenting a comparative perspective against established water treatment methodologies.