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Wastewater Reuse in Agriculture: A Review about Its Limitations and Benefits

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  • María Fernanda Jaramillo

    (Instituto CINARA, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad del Valle, Cali 760032, Colombia)

  • Inés Restrepo

    (Instituto CINARA, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad del Valle, Cali 760032, Colombia)

Abstract

For centuries, wastewater has been improperly used in agriculture, presenting potential risks to public health and the environment. In the context of scientific development, and confronted by an increasing water crisis, wastewater reuse merits consideration because the practice helps decrease water use pressure and moderates water pollution. Thus, this article presents a literature review that addresses the effects, both positive and negative, of wastewater use in agriculture, emphasizing the effects on the soil environment. The literature review reveals that, until the 1990s, research studies promoted the use of wastewater for irrigation purposes from a treatment approach, while proposing “end of pipe” conventional solutions. However, more recent research studies (2012–2016) reveal that agricultural reuse significantly affects soil texture properties, while also causing possible alterations of the biomass and microbiota. In addition, research in this period has been oriented to the quantitative evaluation of microbiological risk.

Suggested Citation

  • María Fernanda Jaramillo & Inés Restrepo, 2017. "Wastewater Reuse in Agriculture: A Review about Its Limitations and Benefits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:10:p:1734-:d:114502
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Drechsel, Pay & Scott, C. A. & Raschid-Sally, Liqa & Redwood, M. & Bahri, Akissa, 2010. "Wastewater irrigation and health: assessing and mitigating risk in low-income countries," IWMI Books, Reports H042600, International Water Management Institute.
    2. Drechsel, Pay & Scott, C. A. & Raschid-Sally, Liqa & Redwood, M. & Bahri, Akissa, 2010. "Wastewater irrigation and health: assessing and mitigating risk in low-income countries," IWMI Books, Reports H042759, International Water Management Institute.
    3. Scott, C. A. & Drechsel, Pay & Raschid-Sally, Liqa & Bahri, Akissa & Mara, D. & Redwood, M. & Jimenez, B., 2010. "Wastewater irrigation and health: challenges and outlook for mitigating risks in low-income countries," IWMI Books, Reports H042619, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Drechsel, Pay & Scott, Christopher A. & Raschid-Sally, Liqa & Redwood, Mark & Bahri, Akissa (ed.), 2010. "Wastewater irrigation and health: assessing and mitigating risk in low-income countries," IWMI Books, International Water Management Institute, number 137591.
    5. Toze, Simon, 2006. "Reuse of effluent water--benefits and risks," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 80(1-3), pages 147-159, February.
    6. Jimenez, B. & Mara, D. & Carr, R. & Brissaud, F., 2010. "Wastewater treatment for pathogen removal and nutrient conservation: suitable systems for use in developing countries," IWMI Books, Reports H042608, International Water Management Institute.
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