QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF EFFLUENT FOR SUSTAINABLE REUSE: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Due to the growing need of water supply in agricultural activities and the water scarcity, there has been an increased interest in using wastewater to irrigate crops. This research examines agricultural reuse of effluents and gives a comprehensive analysis on the quality of wastewater in Sukkur city, Pakistan. The issue of the urgency of this study is the necessity to investigate the possibility of wastewater to be used in irrigation and its safety in case of the extensive use of untreated wastewater in the area, which has the significant risk of damaging the environment and human health. One concern that this technique has raised is that there are hazardous contaminants that may adversely affect the health of crops, soil quality, and ultimately food safety. The key objectives of the investigation are the important contaminants, including heavy metals, minerals, and pathogens, and comparing their values to establish threshold safety levels to be used in agriculture. Based on the findings, the wastewater in Sukkur contains large levels of contaminants like arsenic, copper, magnesium, and nitrites in excess of the permissible levels of these contaminants in irrigation. In addition, this research examines the possibility of reducing risks of using wastewater in agriculture. Direct sources are not recommended to use in any agricultural activity as a result of the existence of arsenic, however, when there are need, then conjunctive use of water needs to be applied. The findings indicate the necessity to consider the effluent water reuse in farming activities and be attentive of the conditions of human beings and nature.