Opportunities and Challenges for Treated Wastewater Reuse in the West Bank, Tunisia, and Qatar

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1563-1574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Dare ◽  
Rabi H. Mohtar ◽  
Chad T. Jafvert ◽  
Basem Shomar ◽  
Bernard Engel ◽  
...  

Abstract. Harsh environment, severe aridity, and climate change create chronic water shortages in the Middle East. Technical challenges, socio-economic factors, and competing uses of water have escalated the difficulties in water planning at national and institutional levels. This research identifies opportunities and challenges associated with wastewater treatment systems and the potential for wastewater reuse in the West Bank, Tunisia, and Qatar through the following objectives: (1) identify the factors associated with successful and unsuccessful reuse schemes, (2) compare treated wastewater quality with end use application of treated wastewater, and (3) identify the governance and social challenges preventing the use of treated wastewater, specifically in agricultural applications. Water quality analyses and consultations with farmers, local stakeholders, and water and agriculture experts were conducted. Opportunities and challenges for treated wastewater reuse in agriculture are identified as the proximity of the treatment facility to agricultural areas, water quality, and motivation of farmers. With proper maintenance and appropriate monitoring, the modest (natural) treatment facilities in the West Bank and secondary treatment technologies in Tunisia are capable of producing effluent safe for use in production of certain agricultural products; however, in Qatar, despite massive investments in producing high-quality treated wastewater using advanced treatment technologies, there is little demand. Water policies, laws and acts, and action plans are urgently needed to be coupled and integrated for implementation. Keywords: Arid lands, Food security, MENA, Wastewater treatment, Water reuse.

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Wojciech Halicki ◽  
Katarzyna Kita

<p class="emsd-body"><span lang="EN-GB">This paper discusses the efficiency of the removal of organic compounds using Improved Wetland System (IWS). IWS is used in Poland and enables reuse of treated effluent in landscape irrigation and toilet flushing. The first section of this paper discusses the advisability of removing organic compounds at the highest level. Additionally, the first section discusses the increase in frequency of treated wastewater reuse. So far, reuse of treated wastewater in local wastewater treatment systems included treatment and reuse of graywater only. The second section of this paper presents the average concentrations of organic compounds in domestic wastewater and the relationship existing between concentration of organic compounds in raw wastewater and water consumption. The second section discusses requirements for local (to 2000 population equivalent) wastewater treatment systems relating to reduction of organic compounds. The third section presents the current situation in rural areas in Poland and indicates the necessity of treated wastewater reuse mainly in these places. In Poland 43 % of the overall population occupies rural areas and about 70 % of them are not connected to a wastewater network. Implementation of water reuse technology (mainly IWS) is the easiest and the cheapest in rural areas. The fourth section presents the principle and the construction of the Improved Wetland System with water reuse. This part shows defects of Constructed Wetlands hindering reuse of treated wastewater. Additionally, this section discusses different steps and efficiency of wastewater treatment. The fifth section discusses results of removing organic compounds depending on hydraulic and contaminant loads. In addition, this section presents guidance on designing the IWS with technology that enables water reuse for flushing toilets and landscape irrigation. The last part of this paper discusses the summary and economic aspects of IWS used in Poland. In addition, the last part shows existing IWS </span><span lang="EN-GB">objects in Poland which provides water reuse to flushing toilets, landscape irrigation and for retention and recreational uses.</span></p>


1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 43-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Juanico ◽  
Eran Friedler

Most of the water has been captured in the rivers of Israel and they have turned into dry river-beds which deliver only sporadic winter floods. In a semi-arid country where literally every drop of water is used, reclaimed wastewater is the most feasible water source for river recovery. Two topics are addressed in this paper: water quality management in rivers where most of the flowing water is treated wastewater, and the allocations of reclaimed wastewater required for the recovery of rivers and streams. Water quality management must consider that the main source of water to the river has a pollution loading which reduces its capability to absorb other pollution impacts. The allocation of treated wastewater for the revival of rivers may not affect negatively the water balance of the region; it may eventually improve it. An upstream bruto allocation of 122 MCM/year of wastewater for the recovery of 14 rivers in Israel may favor downstream reuse of this wastewater, resulting in a small neto allocation and in an increase of the water resources available to the country. The discharge of effluents upstream to revive the river followed by their re-capture downstream for irrigation, implies a further stage in the intensification of water reuse.


Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Jodar-Abellan ◽  
María Inmaculada López-Ortiz ◽  
Joaquín Melgarejo-Moreno

The issues of wastewater treatment and the reuse of water are of great importance, especially in areas where the shortage of conventional resources is a structural problem, as it is in the case of Spain. Wastewater reuse is a valid mechanism to avoid problems derived from droughts and water scarcity. It allows access to water resources in areas with water restrictions and to prevent futures scenarios, due to it being expected that water consumption will double by 2050 over the world. Thus, the likelihood that this unconventional, strategic resource would become scarce is unquestionable, particularly in cases where water planning and exploitation systems prioritize the preservation, protection, and improvement of water quality, as well as the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources. This paper shows how wastewater treatment and reuse are linked, as the reuse of wastewater is associated with a previous regeneration, and both of them are essential tools for maximizing environmental outcomes, as called for in the European Union Directives.


2011 ◽  
Vol 695 ◽  
pp. 626-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Soo Mun ◽  
Sang Ho Lee ◽  
Jung Hun Lee ◽  
Jeong Yul Suh ◽  
Ree Ho Kim

Urban areas consume huge amounts of water and produce much wastewater, which deteriorate the aquatic environment and exhaust the country’s freshwater resources. Water reuse from sewage and wastewater is recognized as a good option for securing water. There are several kinds of processes for improving the water quality. Nutrient removal is very important for water reuse, especially in water supply for outdoor use, to prevent water quality deterioration via eutrophication. Moreover, low cost and easy maintenance should be considered for nutrient removal. In this study, red mud and BauxsolTM, a mixed mineral powder made of physicochemically modified red mud residue generated by the Bayer process for alumina refineries, was used for the removal of nitrate and heavy metals in artificial solution, and of phosphate in final effluent, from a sewage treatment plant in Dae-gu, Republic of Korea. Nitrate removal by red mud showed little efficiency while heavy metal removal showed high efficiency. The concentrations of the total phosphate in the effluent and treated water were 1.51 and 0.14 mg/L, respectively, which represent about 90.7% removal. Before and after the treatment, the pH was maintained at a neutral range of 6.5-7.2. BauxsolTM also showed a high heavy metal removal capacity. Therefore, BauxsolTM in powder and pellet form can be applied individually or mixed with soil to improve water quality for water reuse.


2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 231-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Icekson-Tal ◽  
O. Avraham ◽  
J. Sack ◽  
H. Cikurel

Israel is a semi-arid country with insufficient natural water resources. Wastewater effluent reuse and desalination have become the main source of water to compensate for the future water shortage. Today, between 65 and 70% of wastewater of urban and industrial origin is reused in agriculture after treatment in biological treatment plants around the country. The Dan Region Reclamation Project (Shafdan) is the largest wastewater treatment and reclamation project in Israel. 130 Mm3/yr of reclaimed water is used for unrestricted irrigation after soil aquifer treatment (SAT). Extensive water quality monitoring is performed to keep an efficient and safe wastewater reuse system. After 25 years of operation, the Shafdan deals with the following operational issues on an ongoing basis: Biofouling of the effluent pipelines from the wastewater treatment plant to the SAT, and a lack of capacity in the SAT system. Biofilm growth in the pipelines is controlled by intermittently applying chlorine based compounds at a 10 mg/L dosage for a few hours.


2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-369 ◽  

<div> <p>The aim of this paper is to highlight the way towards the exploitation of treated wastewater for food crops production in order to cope with the acute water scarcity and its hazardous consequences. Reclaimed water reuse has not been practiced in Tobruk, and hence, lack of relevant data and information was the major difficulty in carrying out this research. The existing sewage treatment plant in Tobruk city produces about 7,000 cubic meters per day of suitable effluent for agricultural irrigation and safe discharge. This proportion is worth twice as much as the water being currently used for irrigation. Therefore, with proper planning and management, treated wastewater reuse schemes, in addition to their economical and environmental benefits, can be an efficient mechanism to cope with water shortage and reducing the high burden placed on the desalination plant. Wastewater reuse is considered as a reliable, secure, and drought-resistant water source. Owing to the lack of disinfection processes and routinely monitoring data, there is uncertainty concerning the microbiological safety and quality of the treated effluent. Public perception might be the major challenge facing the planning for a reuse scheme as 51 % of the population of Tobruk have shown their reluctance to consume food crops irrigated with treated wastewater. Nonetheless, public attitudes can be fostered by awareness through the media as some people, when the issue was discussed, have shown a positive response. In fact their main concerns were related to public health safety and potential negative environmental impacts which can be addressed through good planning and prudent management.</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p>


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