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Wastewater irrigation and health: challenges and outlook for mitigating risks in low-income countries

Author

Listed:
  • Scott, Christopher A.
  • Drechsel, Pay
  • Raschid-Sally, Liqa
  • Bahri, Akissa
  • Mara, Duncan
  • Redwood, Mark
  • Jimenez, Blanca

Abstract

Wastewater irrigation is a widespread and growing phenomenon that carries varying degrees of risk. Whether spontaneously practiced in urban and periurban agriculture or planned as part of water reuse programmes, food and fodder production using untreated sewage or treated effluent can have serious human health implications for farmers and consumers, and can irreversibly degrade the environment. In low-income countries water pollution is often the result of inadequate wastewater collection and treatment, and unplanned release to receiving water bodies. Making wastewater irrigation safer depends on a location-specific combination of different pathogen barriers including, where possible, appropriate wastewater treatment. Ensuring that these strategies work in an integrated, mutually supportive manner requires a multi-sectoral paradigm shift in the common approach of wastewater management for disposal. Additionally, it is crucial to continue research (especially in developing countries) on the types and severity of risk, locally feasible mitigation options, the cost-effectiveness of safer wastewater irrigation practices compared to other interventions against diarrhoea and facilitating the adoption of ‘non-’ or ‘post-treatment’ options. This concluding chapter presents an outlook for wastewater irrigation by integrating the major findings of the present volume, synthesizing key elements of the current global status and challenges of sanitation and wastewater irrigation with emphasis on the WHO Guidelines. It also highlights wastewater-governance opportunities with the greatest potential to support safe wastewater irrigation that simultaneously address the combined challenges deriving from the global sanitation, water and food crises.

Suggested Citation

  • Scott, Christopher A. & Drechsel, Pay & Raschid-Sally, Liqa & Bahri, Akissa & Mara, Duncan & Redwood, Mark & Jimenez, Blanca, 2010. "Wastewater irrigation and health: challenges and outlook for mitigating risks in low-income countries," Book Chapters,, International Water Management Institute.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:iwmibc:127725
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.127725
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Drechsel, Pay & Keraita, Bernard & Cofie, Olufunke O. & Nikiema, Josiane, 2015. "Productive and safe use of urban organic wastes and wastewater in urban food production systems in low-income counties," Book Chapters,, International Water Management Institute.
    2. Sana Khalid & Muhammad Shahid & Natasha & Irshad Bibi & Tania Sarwar & Ali Haidar Shah & Nabeel Khan Niazi, 2018. "A Review of Environmental Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Wastewater Use for Crop Irrigation with a Focus on Low and High-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-36, May.
    3. Drechsel, Pay & Heffer, P. & Magen, H. & Mikkelsen, R. & Singh, H. & Wichelns, D., 2015. "Managing water and nutrients to ensure global food security, while sustaining ecosystem services," Book Chapters,, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Musazura, W. & Odindo, A.O. & Tesfamariam, E.H. & Hughes, J.C. & Buckley, C.A., 2019. "Nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in plants and soil fertigated with decentralised wastewater treatment effluent," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 55-62.
    5. Po-Kang Shih & Li-Chi Chiang & Sheng-Chi Lin & Tsun-Kuo Chang & Wei-Chan Hsu, 2019. "Application of Time-Lapse Ion Exchange Resin Sachets (TIERS) for Detecting Illegal Effluent Discharge in Mixed Industrial and Agricultural Areas, Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Scheierling, S. M., 2010. "Improving wastewater use in agriculture: an emerging priority," IWMI Working Papers H043153, International Water Management Institute.
    7. Shannag, Hail K. & Al-Mefleh, Naji K. & Freihat, Nawaf M., 2021. "Reuse of wastewaters in irrigation of broad bean and their effect on plant-aphid interaction," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    8. Zhao, Panpan & Ma, Meng & Hu, Yaqi & Wu, Wenyong & Xiao, Juan, 2022. "Comparison of international standards for irrigation with reclaimed water," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    9. Drechsel, Pay & Heffer, P. & Magen, H. & Mikkelsen, R. & Singh, H. & Wichelns, D., 2015. "Managing water and nutrients to ensure global food security, while sustaining ecosystem services," IWMI Books, Reports H046806, International Water Management Institute.
    10. Drechsel, Pay & Qadir, M. & Galibourg, D., 2022. "The WHO guidelines for safe wastewater use in agriculture: a review of implementation challenges and possible solutions in the global south," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-14(6):864.
    11. Yasmeen, Tahira & Ali, Qasim & Islam, Faisal & Noman, Ali & Akram, M. Sohail & Javed, M. Tariq, 2014. "Biologically treated wastewater fertigation induced growth and yield enhancement effects in Vigna radiata L," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 124-130.
    12. Steven Lam & Hung Nguyen-Viet & Tran Thi Tuyet-Hanh & Huong Nguyen-Mai & Sherilee Harper, 2015. "Evidence for Public Health Risks of Wastewater and Excreta Management Practices in Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, October.
    13. Abedullah & Ali, Haseeb & Kouser, Shahzad, 2012. "Pesticide or Wastewater, Which One is Bigger Culprit for Acute Health Symptoms among Vegetable Growers in Pakistan’s Punjab," 2012 Conference, August 18-24, 2012, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil 126598, International Association of Agricultural Economists.

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