Mitigating risks and maximizing sustainability of treated wastewater reuse for irrigation

Authors: YALIN, DAVID - Weizmann Institite Of Science; CRADDOCK, HILLARY - Ben Gurion University Of Negev; ASSOULINE, SHMUEL - Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center; MORDECHAY, EVYATAR - Hebrew University Of Jerusalem; BEN-GAL, ALON - Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center; BERNSTEIN, NIRIT - Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center; CHAUDHRY, RABIA - Us Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); CHEFETZ, BENNY - Hebrew University Of Jerusalem; FATTA-KASSINOS, DESPO - Agricultural Research Institute Of Cyprus; Williams, Clinton

Submitted to: Water Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/19/2023
Publication Date: 9/22/2023
Citation: Yalin, D., Craddock, H., Assouline, S., Mordechay, E., Ben-Gal, A., Bernstein, N., Chaudhry, R., Chefetz, B., Fatta-Kassinos, D., Williams, C.F., et al. 2023. Mitigating risks and maximizing sustainability of treated wastewater reuse for irrigation. Water Research. 21. Article 100203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wroa.2023.100203.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wroa.2023.100203

Interpretive Summary: Scarcity of fresh water for agriculture has led to the increased utilization of treated wastewater (TWW) as a significant and reliable source of irrigation water. However, years of research indicate that if not managed adequately, TWW may deleteriously affect soil functioning and plant productivity, and pose a hazard to human health. This review leverages the experience of researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers from Israel, the United States, and Europe to present a holistic, multidisciplinary perspective on maximizing the benefits from municipal TWW use for irrigation. We specifically draw on the extensive knowledge gained in Israel, a world leader in agricultural TWW implementation. The first two sections of the work set the foundation for understanding current challenges involved with the use of TWW, with an overview of known and emerging agronomic and environmental issues (salinity, phytotoxicity, hindrance of soil hydraulic properties, changes in nutrient supply, alterations in the soil microbiota) and public health risks (contaminants of emerging concern, pathogens, antibiotic resistance). The review then presents well-established solutions to address these challenges, ranging from technological and management-based solutions to recommended source control policies (considering upstream water management strongly influences downstream users). The concluding section presents suggestions for the path forward, emphasizing the importance of improving links between research and policy, and better outreach to the public and agricultural practitioners.

Technical Abstract: Scarcity of fresh water for agriculture has led to the increased utilization of treated wastewater (TWW) as a significant and reliable source of irrigation water. However, years of research indicate that if not managed adequately, TWW may deleteriously affect soil functioning and plant productivity, and pose a hazard to human health. This review leverages the experience of researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers from Israel, the United States, and Europe to present a holistic, multidisciplinary perspective on maximizing the benefits from municipal TWW use for irrigation. We specifically draw on the extensive knowledge gained in Israel, a world leader in agricultural TWW implementation. The first two sections of the work set the foundation for understanding current challenges involved with the use of TWW, with an overview of known and emerging agronomic and environmental issues (salinity, phytotoxicity, hindrance of soil hydraulic properties, changes in nutrient supply, alterations in the soil microbiota) and public health risks (contaminants of emerging concern, pathogens, antibiotic resistance). The review then presents well-established solutions to address these challenges, ranging from technological and management-based solutions to recommended source control policies (considering upstream water management strongly influences downstream users). The concluding section presents suggestions for the path forward, emphasizing the importance of improving links between research and policy, and better outreach to the public and agricultural practitioners.