Secondary wastewater disposal for crop irrigation with minimal risks

A critical objective for any wastewater reuse program is to close the gap b etween supply of and demand for water and to minimize health and environmen tal hazards. Thus, the effects of treated effluent on crops, soils and comm unity health must be considered carefully. When applying wastewater to soil -plant systems, it is to be noted that the passage of water through the soi l reduces considerably the number of microorganisms carried out by the recl aimed wastewater. Nevertheless, there is a need to study the real rate of o rganism decay subject to water quality, soil and vegetable characteristics, and irrigation method; The aim of this work is to determine the fate of th e fecal coliforms, coliphages F+ and CN13, and helminth eggs survival durin g the application of reclaimed wastewater in a vineyard orchard near the Ci ty of Arad (Israel) via onsurface and subsurface drip irrigation systems. W astewater obtained from a stabilization pond, and soil samples were tested and an important decrease of microorganisms was reached in both cases, with the better values obtained with the sub-surface drip irrigation system.