WATER REUSE

Water Reuse in Agriculture

- Pros and Cons

Dr. Konrad Buchauer

06.03.2008
Moldova
 Table of Contents

1. Reuse Applications
2. International Development of Water Reuse
3. Pros of Water Reuse
4. Cons of Water Reuse
5. Summary
 1. Reuse Applications

Agricultural Reuse is just one out of many options

• Agricultural Reuse
• Urban Reuse: green areas, parks, golf courses, etc.
• Recreational Reuse: lakes for swimming, boating, fishing, snow-making, etc.
• Environmental Enhancement: creation / enhancement of wetlands, stream flow
• Groundwater Recharge: potable water, salt water intrusion & subsidence control
• Industrial Reuse: process water, cooling water, etc.
• Residential Reuse: toilet, laundry, air-conditioning, etc.
• Potable Reuse: direct or after blending with other sources

Paddy field irrigation Osaka Castle (Japan) Groundwater recharge (Los

Angeles, USA)
 2. International Development of Water Reuse

Two examples out of many: Water reuse is on the rise

(1) California, USA

(2) Israel
Reuse Disposal
1000
900
800 80
million m3 / year

700
600 182
500 230
400 270
780
300
200 390
510 Water reuse as compared to overall
290
100
0
wastewater treatment
2002 2005 2010 2020
 3. Pros of Water Reuse

Advantages

• Reliable source of supply: little dependence on weather conditions.

• Reduced stress on ‘traditional’ water supply: reduced demand for investments
into expansion of existing water supply schemes, since part of ‘traditional’ water
sources is replaced by reused sources.
• Availability near to agricultural application, i.e. mostly outside cities.
• High content of nutrients (N, P) permits to reduce application of synthetic
fertilizers, thereby reducing cost.
• Benefits for rural population.
• Long experience exists in many countries at different levels of development.
• Attractiveness of investment (private & public) in the wastewater sector
increases as a whole, if there is a market for water reuse.
• ‘WHO Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater, excreta and greywater. Vol.2:
Wastewater use in agriculture’ (2006) permit for a flexible approach towards
treatment standards.
 4. Cons of Water Reuse

Necessary considerations

• Risk to human health?

- Pathogens: bacteria, viruses, Helminths

• Risk to environment?
- Heavy metals
- Organics (endocrine disrupters, antibiotics, halogenated compounds)
- Salinity
• Social acceptance?
• Co-operation of different sectors is sometimes difficult.
• Requirement for treatment and agricultural expertise, to analyse specific
requirements and adjust to flexible treatment standards.
 5. Summary

1. Agricultural reuse is just one out of many water reuse applications.

2. There is a strong tendency worldwide to water reuse applications.
3. Water reuse in agriculture offers attractive benefits, since it is a reliable
source of supply combined with a potential for cost savings (both for water
utility and farmers).
4. Concerns (health, environment, social, organisational) have to be addressed.
 Literature

1. World Bank, The Water for Food Team: Investing in the reuse of treated wastewater. Agricultural and Rural
Development Notes, Issue 17, June 2006.
2. UNEP, GEC: Water and wastewater reuse. 2005.
3. California Department of Water Resources, Recycled Water Task Force: Water Recycling 2030. May 2003.
4. H. Cikurel, A.Aharoni, N.Tal: Water reuse in Israel. 2003.