Sustainable reuse of hemodialysis reject water for potato farming: a large-scale feasibility study in Morocco

Article Summary: Sustainable reuse of hemodialysis reject water for potato farming: a large-scale feasibility study in Morocco
Journal of Nephrology (2025)
 

• 💧 Context: Hemodialysis generates vast volumes of reject (waste) water. This study explores repurposing that water for agriculture, addressing both water scarcity and sustainability challenges.
• 🥔 Objective: Assess the feasibility of using dialysis reject water for large-scale potato farming in Morocco using FAO’s AquaCrop model.
• 📊 Key Findings:
  • Morocco’s HD units generate ~1.1 million m³ of reject water per year.
  • Water quality meets irrigation standards and is comparable to major Moroccan rivers.
  • Simulated potato yields with reject water ranged from 29.37 to 47.67 t/ha.
  • Economic benefits include:
    • Water cost savings of ~$638,000/year.
    • Gross profit of $7,000–$10,000/ha.
    • Potential total annual revenue from reuse: $5–9 million USD.
• 🌍 Sustainability Insight:
  • Reinforces circular economy potential between healthcare and agriculture.
  • Could irrigate ~110 football fields per year.
  • Highlights need to address regulatory and perception barriers around wastewater reuse.
• 🧠 Takeaway: Reusing dialysis reject water is not only safe and sustainable, but also economically viable—opening new pathways for greener nephrology and food production.