The concept of circular water focuses on utilizing treated wastewater to irrigate green spaces through an innovative subsurface system, promoting resource conservation and sustainability. This method exemplifies a circular economy approach by reusing water and minimizing evaporation, addressing both Morocco’s water scarcity and environmental challenges.

In March 2023, the Ibn Tofail University research team, in collaboration with the German company INNARI, installed the subsurface irrigation system ‘Mipotube’ in the green spaces surrounding the wastewater treatment plant on the university campus.

The subsurface irrigation system is connected to Ibn Tofail University’s wastewater treatment plant, which treats up to 400 m3 daily using a third-generation membrane bioreactor system to irrigate the university’s green spaces.

Both teams opted for the subsurface ‘Mipotube’ system, not only because it reduces irrigation by 60% to 70% compared to aboveground irrigation. It also saves 50% to 60% of irrigation water by preventing evaporation by targeting the roots directly, but also because the ‘Mipotube’ pipes are made from recycled rubber waste from the automotive industry.

The collaboration successfully tackled Morocco’s two main challenges, drought, and pollution, simultaneously by applying the concept of circular water, which focuses on utilizing treated wastewater through an innovative subsurface system