HALOPHYTE IRRIGATION - AN OVERLOOKED STRATEGY FOR MANAGEMENT OF MEMBRANE FILTRATION CONCENTRATE

It is argued that the preferred paradigm for utilizing membrane filtra tion concentrate conceptually, and legally in Arizona, is to view it a s an agricultural water management opportunity rather than a wastewate r disposal problem. Halophyte farms irrigated with concentrate at a 5% leaching rate are projected to be productive for over 100y in souther n Arizona without affecting the quality of the underlying groundwater any more than conventional agriculture. The authors recommend that hal ophyte irrigation be included in the management options for membrane f iltration concentrate at current and future sites.