Learn how to conserve water in vertical farming and make your operation more sustainable. Tips include using recirculating systems, choosing drought-tolerant crops, and more.

Incorporating HVAC systems to capture moisture from transpiration is an innovative approach to water conservation in vertical farming. By capturing and condensing the water vapor released during plant transpiration, that creates a closed-loop system that recycles moisture within the growing environment. This condensed moisture can be collected and reintroduced into the irrigation system, reducing the need for additional water inputs.

What are the best ways to conserve water in vertical farming?

Vertical farming is a method of growing crops indoors, using layers of hydroponic or aeroponic systems, artificial lighting, and climate control. It offers many benefits, such as higher yields, reduced land use, and lower transportation costs. However, it also requires a lot of water, which can be a challenge in areas with limited or expensive water resources. How can you conserve water in vertical farming and make your operation more sustainable? Here are some tips to help you.

1 Use recirculating systems

One of the most effective ways to conserve water in vertical farming is to use recirculating systems, which collect and reuse the water that drains from the plants. This reduces the amount of water that is wasted or evaporated, and also saves on fertilizer costs, as the nutrients are not lost. Recirculating systems can reduce water use by up to 90% compared to traditional farming methods. However, they also require careful monitoring and maintenance, as the water quality and pH can change over time and affect plant growth and health.

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Oleksandr Alba

Co-Founder @ COMPLANT CONSULTING | MSc Organic Agriculture/Agroecology
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Hydroponics systems are divided into two categories. First, is open systems where the irrigation runoff is not recycled. Second, is closed system where irrigation runoff is reintroduced back into the system. Closed hydroponics systems could conserve more minerals that could be reused for crop fertigation.

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Mehmood Yousaf

Operations Manager at Valley Irrigation Pakistan (Pvt.Ltd) || Managing the maintenance and repair of Irrigation System || Collaborating with other departments to develop & implement strategies
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Conserve water in vertical farming by using drip irrigation or aeroponics, targeting roots directly. Employ sensors for precise irrigation control and opt for water-efficient growing mediums. Implement closed-loop systems to capture and recycle excess water, ensuring efficient resource use.

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Bennart (Ben) Vriesema

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Beware of increased EC values with recirculation! Use a water retaining additive in the system like Fytocell, a lightweight substrate for optimal water-air ratio. Highly capillair so no loss of water!

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2 Choose drought-tolerant crops

Another way to conserve water in vertical farming is to choose crops that are drought-tolerant or have low water requirements. Some examples are leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, and strawberries. These crops can thrive in vertical farming systems, as they can benefit from the controlled environment and the efficient delivery of water and nutrients. They also have shorter growing cycles and higher market value, which can increase your profitability. Avoid crops that need a lot of water, such as rice, corn, or tomatoes, as they are not suitable for vertical farming.

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Chris James, CH, CCA

AgTech Professional | Bridging Agriculture, AI, and Analytics
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Nearly all vertical farming systems have a greater water use efficiency than traditional agriculture. Consequently, choosing “drought-tolerant” plants is an extremely low priority for crop selection in vertical farming. Rather, choosing crops that have the highest economic return is more crucial. Please don’t grow corn or rice in your vertical farm!

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3 Optimize lighting and temperature

Lighting and temperature are two key factors that affect water use in vertical farming. Lighting influences the photosynthesis and transpiration rates of the plants, while temperature affects the evaporation and condensation of water. To conserve water, you need to optimize these factors according to the needs of your crops and the conditions of your facility. For example, you can use LED lights, which are more energy-efficient and produce less heat than other types of artificial lights. You can also adjust the light intensity, duration, and spectrum to match the optimal levels for your crops. Similarly, you can use ventilation, insulation, and cooling systems to regulate the temperature and humidity of your facility and prevent water loss.

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Oleksandr Alba

Co-Founder @ COMPLANT CONSULTING | MSc Organic Agriculture/Agroecology
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When VPD is precisely controlled plants would have to work less to modify the environment through transpiration. The higher the light intensity, temperature and CO2 the harder plants have to work to cool themselves, and the greater would be the demand for mineral nutrition and water. Consequently, there may be higher risks. The environmental parameters should enable smooth plant growth and development with sufficient time to respond to crop physiological needs. The environmental parameters should be monitored and controlled in a way that enables physiological optimization of plant performance.

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4 Monitor and measure water use

A final way to conserve water in vertical farming is to monitor and measure your water use regularly and accurately. This can help you identify and address any leaks, inefficiencies, or problems that may increase your water consumption. You can use sensors, meters, and software to track the amount and quality of water that flows in and out of your system, and compare it with your expected or desired water use. You can also use data analysis and automation tools to optimize your water use and adjust it according to the changing needs of your crops and the external factors that affect your facility.

By following these tips, you can conserve water in vertical farming and make your operation more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Water is a precious and scarce resource, and vertical farming can help you use it wisely and productively.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Stefan Klincov

Experienced Production Manager | Driving Efficiency & Quality in Production Environments | Strategic Initiatives Expert
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Incorporating HVAC systems to capture moisture from transpiration is an innovative approach to water conservation in vertical farming. By capturing and condensing the water vapor released during plant transpiration, that creates a closed-loop system that recycles moisture within the growing environment. This condensed moisture can be collected and reintroduced into the irrigation system, reducing the need for additional water inputs.

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Grahame Dunling

POWER FROM THE PLANTS. 40 years in the industry 15 years in Warehouse Growing. "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail"
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We have Never used Hi Vac in Vertical Farming. But we have collected water every time. Air movement and good filtration is a must. Try using ozone this gives you plenty of o2 just need good storage

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What are the best ways to conserve water in vertical farming?

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1 Use recirculating systems

2 Choose drought-tolerant crops

3 Optimize lighting and temperature

4 Monitor and measure water use

5 Here’s what else to consider

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