Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Typical wastewater irrigation objectives of countries by level of economic
development
Level of
economic
development
Objective 1: Minimize
risk to public health
(priorities)
Objective 2:
Minimize risk
to environ-
ment (priority)
Objective 3:
Improve
livelihoods
in Urban
Agriculture
(priority)
Objective 4:
Integrate
wastewater
into water
resources
management
(status)
Microbial
Risks
Chemical
risks
Low-income
countries
Urgent
Low
Low
Urgent
Low
Lower-mid-
dle- income
countries
High
Emerging
Emerging
High
Incipient
Upper-mid-
dle-income
countries
High
Urgent
Urgent
High
Evolving
High-
income non-
OECD
countries
High
High
High
Low
Advanced
High-
income
OECD
countries
Low
High
High, with
Focus on
anthropogenic
compounds
Nil
Advanced
Source: Scheierling et al. (
2010
: 75)
Moreover, as there are many potential stakeholders for wastewater irrigation, it is
obvious that there is a wide range of priorities depending on who is asked. Priorities
for planners and decision-makers participating in an international workshop on
wastewater reuse are summarized in Mateo-Sagasta et al. (
2013
). Farmers
priori-
ties, too, have been addressed in some publications (c.f. Kauvala
2007
; Adjaye-
Gbewonyo
2008
; Weckenbrock
2010
). In the following, the focus is on priorities as
perceived by researchers on wastewater irrigation and large organizations like the
WHO.
Stepwise approach
A main emphasis of many recent publications, which is also reflected in the
latest version of the WHO guidelines for the safe use of wastewater, is on a
stepwise approach (WHO
2006b
; USEPA
2012
).
'
It is important always to consider
the alternative to this step-wise approach, which may be inaction if standards are set
too high and cannot be achieved in a reasonable period of time
'
'
(Scheierling et al.
2010
: 50).
Reduction of public health and environmental risks
Moving from unplanned to planned wastewater reuse
Gradual, stepwise improvements
Search WWH ::
Custom Search