Water is drained into the underground aquifers, flowing down from the roof of the greenhouses, so that later it can be used for watering plants
Climate change, rising sea levels, subsidence and salinization of groundwater are expected to increase the shortage of fresh water in the future. At the same time, there are often periods with a large amount of rainfall, but often at a time when this water cannot be used for irrigation of crops (late autumn, winter). All this rainwater could be used to solve the shortage of fresh water, but where to store it? Dutch experts believe that this water can be stored in the bowels of the earth. Underground storage of fresh water prevents salinization of groundwater and eliminates the difference in time and space between the arrival of rainwater and the need for water for irrigation. In addition, such underground storage facilities could reduce the risk of flooding due to heavy rains.
According to a representative of the Purple Pride Eggplant Producers Association, a distinctive feature of such water storage is that it is possible to collect water all year long, while when overflowing the pools, excess water must be drained into the canal. At the same time, high quality water is lost, and during periods of prolonged drought, as it was in 2018, it is necessary to use much worse quality water for watering plants, for example, tap water or even from a canal. The new water storage allows you to accumulate it in a larger amount than is necessary for irrigation, therefore, the salt content in groundwater is reduced.
Source: https://east-fruit.com/