Abstract:
Untreated municipal wastewater is being traditionally u.sed for agriculture by the
fanners in the peri-urban areas of Rajshahi city, located in the drought-prone northwestern
part of Bangladesh. This study was carried oul to assess the benefits and
adverse impacts of wastewater reuse in the peri-urban areas of Rajshahi, Social
acceptance and feasibility of a long term institutional arrangement was also analyzed
in this study. Questionnaire surveys were conducted to sll1dy farmers' perception and
responses regarding the agricultural, economic, social, environmental and health
issues, Also, a total of 12 wastewater and groundwater samples were collected from
the study sites for water quality analysis. Analysis results show that most of the water
quality parameters expect UOD, do not exceed the WHO recommended limit for
irrigation. The most important benefits of wastewater reuse have been found as the
availability of wastewater all over the seasons, and reduced chemical fertilizer
requirement Yield and economic return have been found to be higher at the study site
than those at the control site, Cropping intensity is also rO<.lndto be higher at the study
site than that at the control site, On the other hand, the potential risks of wastewater
reuse have been found to include increased pest attacks and crop diseases, and disease
incidents among the farmers. About 25% respondents at the wastewater reuse site
reported health problems s<.lchas allergy and skin diseases. They also commented that
mainly clinical and industrial wastewater is causing these health problems. Local
residence reported that wastewater spread over agneulturallands pose significant odor
problem. The farmers reported that the crops grown with wastewater irrigation are
socially acceptable as they do not face any difficulties to scll them in the market and
even from fields Key informant Interviews indicate that a long term institutional
arrangement of wastewater reuse is feasible in the study region,
