Assessment of oppurtunity and adverse impact of wastewater reuse in peri urban areas of Rajshahi

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,