wastewater characteristics (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and heavy
metals) and the corresponding microbiological indicators (e.g. Escherichia coli and
Salmonella) on irrigated crops and soils. The selection of irrigation methods is
another topic discussed in this chapter. Drip and subsurface irrigation methods are
considered the more suitable irrigation techniques to be used with treated wastewater; they minimise toxicity hazards for plants, reduce the contamination of edible
crop products, and mitigate human health risks by minimising direct contact between
wastewater and plant.
Keywords Agro-industrial wastewater, Crop irrigation, Microbiological risks,
Municipal wastewater, Wastewater reuse
1 Introduction
Wastewater reuse has potential benefits for agriculture and water resources management but can also determine substantial risks to public health. Moreover, chemical
risks for plant and environment could occur due to soil and groundwater pollution.
Indeed, the main problems related to wastewater reuse can be linked to the possible
environmental dispersion of macro- and micronutrients, soil and plant accumulation
of heavy metals and the contamination due to microbial pathogens.
Once crops are exposed to chemicals, the potential uptake and accumulation in
the edible parts (fruits and vegetables) need to be controlled in order to assess their
introduction into the food chain.
Water quality criteria and guidelines for effluent reuse in irrigation have been
implemented and can act as protecting measures to farmers health as well as to public
health; moreover, the quality criteria can prevent problems such as soil salinity and
toxicity and other phenomena that can generate issues for soil and crop production.
This chapter does not address the effects of the emerging pollutants
(i.e. contaminants of emerging concern, CECs) detected in wastewater sources on
the soil-plant system. This research topic is reported in detail in other chapters.
1.1 Legislative Framework
The use of reclaimed wastewater for crop irrigation could play a strategic role in
mitigating the problems of decreasing water availability for the agricultural sector
and competition with civil and industrial water uses. The use of reclaimed wastewater in agriculture may also increase the environmental sustainability of crop
production. However, reuse of wastewater in this sector is constrained by relevant
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G. Gatta et al.
metals) and the corresponding microbiological indicators (e.g. Escherichia coli and
Salmonella) on irrigated crops and soils. The selection of irrigation methods is
another topic discussed in this chapter. Drip and subsurface irrigation methods are
considered the more suitable irrigation techniques to be used with treated wastewater; they minimise toxicity hazards for plants, reduce the contamination of edible
crop products, and mitigate human health risks by minimising direct contact between
wastewater and plant.
Keywords Agro-industrial wastewater, Crop irrigation, Microbiological risks,
Municipal wastewater, Wastewater reuse
1 Introduction
Wastewater reuse has potential benefits for agriculture and water resources management but can also determine substantial risks to public health. Moreover, chemical
risks for plant and environment could occur due to soil and groundwater pollution.
Indeed, the main problems related to wastewater reuse can be linked to the possible
environmental dispersion of macro- and micronutrients, soil and plant accumulation
of heavy metals and the contamination due to microbial pathogens.
Once crops are exposed to chemicals, the potential uptake and accumulation in
the edible parts (fruits and vegetables) need to be controlled in order to assess their
introduction into the food chain.
Water quality criteria and guidelines for effluent reuse in irrigation have been
implemented and can act as protecting measures to farmers health as well as to public
health; moreover, the quality criteria can prevent problems such as soil salinity and
toxicity and other phenomena that can generate issues for soil and crop production.
This chapter does not address the effects of the emerging pollutants
(i.e. contaminants of emerging concern, CECs) detected in wastewater sources on
the soil-plant system. This research topic is reported in detail in other chapters.
1.1 Legislative Framework
The use of reclaimed wastewater for crop irrigation could play a strategic role in
mitigating the problems of decreasing water availability for the agricultural sector
and competition with civil and industrial water uses. The use of reclaimed wastewater in agriculture may also increase the environmental sustainability of crop
production. However, reuse of wastewater in this sector is constrained by relevant
80
G. Gatta et al.