Impact of Treated Wastewater Irrigation on Soil Properties and Groundwater Quality

Abstract

Water shortages in arid and semi-arid regions promote the reuse of water resources, and the use of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation is the primary form of wastewater reuse. Since 2012, 912 ha is the area of Hennaya that have used treated wastewater . Many nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, are rich in sewage, and they can effectively increase soil nutrient content and promote crop growth. However, treated wastewater irrigation may pose certain environmental risks, most significantly a possible pollution of soil with heavy metals. Heavy metal pollution is seriously problematic because it is persistent, which may pose certain health risks to humans through the food. In this thesis we have studied the different impacts of treated wastewater irrigation on the properties of soil and the quality of groundwater and we tried to involve the policy aspect as a tool to a better management of water resources.