Scientists from the GWR project are studying the irrigation of tomatoes and strawberries with treated grey water.

The electrochemical and membrane technologies developed during the GWR project enable water to be purified to a high standard, meeting the requirements for drinking water. For the ongoing study of cherry tomato and strawberry plants, water from an intermediate cycle is used which complies with Chile's standard for irrigation water.
Although Law 21.623 expanded the use of grey water for agricultural purposes, its use in irrigating fruits and vegetables grown at ground level remains prohibited. The aim of the ongoing experiment is to contribute to the analysis and anticipate the moment when all possible options must be considered in the context of an increasingly severe water crisis.  

Greenhouse

In May of this year, a greenhouse containing the plants to be studied was installed at the Separation Process Intensification Laboratory (SPI) of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Bioprocesses at USACH. The plants are grown in specific substrates and are subject to controlled humidity and temperature conditions 24 hours a day.
Water for irrigation is collected from a washing machine installed in the laboratory to replicate average family conditions. This water is treated and then given to the plants.
The results of the experiment are expected to be available by the end of the year.

Scope

According to Dr Julio Romero, a researcher on the GWR project, an application is being prepared to request state funding involving private participation in order to finance more extensive studies over longer periods of between 12 and 24 months.
At the same time, efforts are being made to scale up the system. Discussions are underway with various stakeholders, including government organisations, agricultural cooperatives and small farmers.
If successful, the new initiative would begin in 2026, initially focusing on crops in the Ñuble and Maule regions.