Morocco has launched a pilot project to recycle wastewater through a technology used in space stations and space shuttles.

According to The North Africa Post, the technological process was developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). The technology uses organic and ceramic membranes with holes that are one ten-thousandth of a millimetre wide – 700 times thinner than a strand of human hair. These tiny pores can filter out unwanted compounds in water, particularly nitrate.

These organic membrane –based filtrations have already been used to recycle waste water from showers, washing machines and dishwashers at the Concordia research base in Antarctica. The ESA told The North Africa Post that the equipment has required very little maintenance since it was installed.

The nano-technology is now being put to use in the Sidi Taibi village where utility authorities find it difficult to provide fresh water to the village’s growing population. This is because the groundwater in the area is rich in nitrates and fertiliser chemicals, making it unsuitable for human consumption.

The water pumping and conveyance at the new treatment facility in Sidi Taibi will use energy generated from wind turbines and solar panels. The first phase of the project will provide water to over 1200 students at a school and surplus energy and water generated during school holidays will be shared with locals.

If this technology proves successful, the unit will be scaled up to deliver water to the rest of the local population.