Field-based Validation of a Flexible Water Harvesting System for Sustainable Irrigation

Mediterranean Countries are facing frequent extreme rain events during winter which release large quantity of water on soils that is lost as runoff of drained into ditches the following days. That water represents a valuable resource in agriculture that if properly stored, could help farmers to reduce dependence upon underground reservoirs. A pilot water harvesting system (WHS) has been installed in experimental farm of Lazio region (Central Italy) to investigate the contribute of WHS in increasing environmental and economical sustainability of farms The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of WHS in agriculture and its contribute to reduce dependency on groundwater. The prototype of the flexible water tank system has been installed in experimental farm of Lazio region and connected to a water pump that collects rainwater from the surrounding ditches after rain events. Experimental data about the quantity of water collected, weather conditions and cost associated are monitored over one year experiment.