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Project Code [2025-NE-1312]
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Project title
Pasture irrigation with treated wastewater: challenges, risks and opportunities
Primary Funding Agency
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
n/a
Lead Organisation
University College Cork (UCC)
Lead Applicant
Timothy Sullivan
Project Abstract
Increased risk of extended seasonal drought, water scarcity, and changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change are major concerns for pasture and crops that rely on rainfall dependant growth in Ireland. Grassland makes up some 60 % of Ireland's land use, and the dairy and beef industries, which account for half of all food and drinks exports, rely heavily on plentiful high quality grass yields. The PITCROP project assesses whether TWW reuse for irrigation could be applied to mitigate these risks while increasing nutrient and water sustainability, to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a fodder crisis resulting from short-term drought conditions for example. Agricultural irrigation is the most common TWW reuse application internationally, and has a number of potential advantages in Ireland; relieving pressure on public and ambient water supplies during challenging conditions, increasingly sustainable water and nutrient use but also many unknowns in terms of risk-benefit relationship to plant, soil, human and animal health in terms of nutrient content and substances that are not removed in the treatment process's and Ireland lacks formal public policy or legislation for water reuse in Ireland relating to municipal sources. The PITCROP project brings together a multi-disciplinary scientific team wastewater expertise, environmental chemists, plant molecular biologists and physiologists, environmental and agricultural scientists to work across disciplines in partnership to collect and analyse key data needed to address these knowledge gaps around risks and benefits of wasterwater reuse in for non-food crops (N-FCs) irrigation in Ireland.
Grant Approved
€329,181.61
Research Hub
Protecting and Restoring Our Natural Environment
Initial Projected Completion Date
28/02/2029