Safe water reuse for irrigation 

Plastic greenhouses are typical in the south of Europe. Italy, among other regions, suffers from droughts. The reliance on groundwater poses pressure on this precious resource. Although there are opportunities for greenhouses to harvest rainwater for irrigation, rainwater is now discharged into the storm water network or neighbouring drainage systems. Valuable rainwater is not yet used because rainwater harvested from plastic surfaces can vary in quality due to the presence of contaminants. This makes using harvest rainwater less attractive to farmers 

Goal of the project

This project aims to support farmers in transitioning to a safe and sustainable water reuse system – one that ensures harvested rainwater can be used confidently for crop production without compromising food safety or plant health. 

• Assess rainwater quality collected from plastic greenhouse surfaces under different environmental conditions 

• Identify and mitigate contamination sources from air pollutants and rooftop buildup 

• Develop practical guidelines for safe rainwater treatment and use in agriculture 

• Engage farmers with clear, science-based information to build trust in rainwater reuse systems 

Why It Matters 

By making rainwater reuse safe, reliable, and attractive, this projects results in positive impact 

• Reduce pressure on freshwater supplies 

• Improve the sustainability and resilience of greenhouse farming 

• Lower water costs for farmers 

• Support climate adaptation in water-scarce regions 

More information 

Executive project partners 

University of Padua

TAUW

CREA

Eawag aquatic research

CNR