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GIS-Based Assessment of the Potential for Treated Wastewater Reuse in Agricultural Irrigation: A Case Study in Northern Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppe Mancuso

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 50, 40127 Bologna, Italy
    CIRI FRAME—Interterdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Renewable Resources, Environment, Sea and Energy, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Monica C. M. Parlato

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Stevo Lavrnić

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 50, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Attilio Toscano

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 50, 40127 Bologna, Italy
    CIRI FRAME—Interterdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Renewable Resources, Environment, Sea and Energy, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Francesca Valenti

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

Agriculture is the major water user worldwide and it is expected to be negatively affected by climate change and water scarcity. The use of non-conventional water resources could be the solution to overcome this issue. In fact, treated wastewater has a constant availability during the year and it contains nutrients needed for crop growth. The aim of this research was a GIS-based assessment of the potential for treated wastewater agricultural reuse in the Forlì-Cesena province within the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy). The results showed that, for the selected study area, treated wastewater could satisfy up to 316% of yearly and 210% of irrigation season crop water needs at the actually irrigated areas. Furthermore, the availability of this alternative water resource could lead to an increase in irrigated areas. For the proposed scenario, which considered both the actually irrigated areas as well as the irrigable areas, crop water needs could be satisfied by up to 107% on the yearly level and 71% in the case of the irrigation season. Treated wastewater reuse feasibility was also investigated considering the minimum water quality requirements that were recently provided by the new Regulation (EU) 2020/741.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe Mancuso & Monica C. M. Parlato & Stevo Lavrnić & Attilio Toscano & Francesca Valenti, 2022. "GIS-Based Assessment of the Potential for Treated Wastewater Reuse in Agricultural Irrigation: A Case Study in Northern Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:15:p:9364-:d:876534
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Odone, Giordano & Perulli, Giulio Demetrio & Mancuso, Giuseppe & Lavrnić, Stevo & Toscano, Attilio, 2024. "A novel smart fertigation system for irrigation with treated wastewater: Effects on nutrient recovery, crop and soil," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 297(C).

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