Brackish groundwater desalination


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Desalination for agriculture in the Murray Darling Basin

In the Murray Darling Basin of Australia, where the availability of freshwater is limited, the desalination of brackish groundwater has emerged as a potential solution for agricultural irrigation. Brackish water, which has a high salt concentration, is abundant in the region and can be treated using desalination technology, namely reverse osmosis to remove salt and other minerals from the water to provide a reliable and sustainable source of irrigation water for farmers. Therefore, the development and deployment of desalination technology for treating brackish water is a crucial area of research and innovation for the agricultural sector in the Murray Darling Basin.

By utilising desalinated brackish water, farmers can reduce their reliance on freshwater sources to mitigate the impacts of drought and ensure that their crops receive the necessary water supply for healthy growth and optimal yield even during periods of prolonged drought.

Desalinated brackish water for agricultural irrigation presents an opportunity for farmers to expand their operations and increase their crop yields. By utilising this technology, farmers can expand their irrigated land and cultivate crops that require more water, leading to higher yields and increased profits. Please use our cost calculator to explore how much you can save by implementing a reverse osmosis desalination plant to treat brackish water to provide irrigation for your farm.

For further information related to desalination for agriculture, visit our project website or read the project outputs below.

Project website

Project outputs

Please find below the key reports from this project

Case study report

A case-study scoping report, related to a 1BCRC project for a South Australian physical demonstration site into implementation challenges, scalability, and triggers that affect economic viability.

Brine disposal report

A targeted report, related to a 1BCRC project, on brine disposal which represents 50% of the cost of desalination and is a significant barrier to wider adoption across the basin

Alternative Water Sources in the Murray Darling Basin

A report related to a 1BCRC project, indicating the potential to scale-up opportunities across the basin

Want to get in touch?

Contact the project leader, Michael Leonard email@adelaide.edu.au

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