THE DAN REGION SEWERAGE WASTE-WATER TREATMENT AND RECLAMATION SCHEME

The Greater Tel-Aviv (Dan Region) urban area is composed of seven muni cipalities producing close to 100 million cubic meters per year (mcmy) of wastewaters, serving a population equivalent of over 1.7 millions. The Dan Region Association of Towns for Sewerage serves the largest p opulation, commercial and tourism center of Israel as well as an impor tant part of its industry. The flow of wastewater in the region is exp ected to reach some 150 mcmy by the end of this decade due to its inte nsive growth. Due to the perennial and severe shortage of water, Israe l has adopted a national policy of maximizing wastewater reuse, aimed principally at agricultural irrigation of crops without any restrictio ns (including fruits and vegetables eaten uncooked). The quality requi rements for the reclaimed wastewater are quite stringent, due to the f act that a large proportion of the agricultural produce is intended fo r export to foreign countries. The Dan Region Third Line scheme is an example of a holistic approach to urban sewerage system integrated wit h reclamation and agricultural reuse, within an overall policy-making, engineering design, operation, monitoring, surveillance, management, administration and legal framework. It has a combined health, environm ental and economical benefit to the urban communities and critical eco nomic and livelihood benefit to the rural community.