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Water Scarcity and Wastewater Reuse in Crop Irrigation

Author

Listed:
  • Nicoleta Ungureanu

    (Department of Biotechnical Systems, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 006042 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Valentin Vlăduț

    (National Institute of Research—Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry- INMA Bucharest, 013811 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Gheorghe Voicu

    (Department of Biotechnical Systems, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 006042 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

Due to climate change, two-thirds of mankind will face water scarcity by 2025, while by 2050, global food production must increase by at least 50% to feed 9 billion people. To overcome water scarcity, 15 million m 3 /day of untreated wastewater is used globally for crop irrigation, polluting the soil with pathogens, heavy metals and excess salts. Since 10% of the global population consumes food from crops irrigated with wastewater, pathogens transmitted through the food chain cause diseases especially in young children and women. In this paper, we discuss the status of water scarcity and the challenges to food security, the reuse of wastewater in agriculture and the possible risks to human and environmental health. The efficiency of different irrigation systems in limiting the risks of wastewater reuse and the latest regulations of the European Commission on effluent recovery are also presented. Hence, we emphasize that irrigation offers real perspectives for large-scale recovery of wastewater, helping to reduce the deficit and conserve water resources, and increasing food safety, with the express mention that investments must be made in wastewater treatment plants and wastewater must be properly treated before recovery, to limit the risks on human health and the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicoleta Ungureanu & Valentin Vlăduț & Gheorghe Voicu, 2020. "Water Scarcity and Wastewater Reuse in Crop Irrigation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:21:p:9055-:d:437826
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