Question

Aim and objective on the topic to reduce river pollution by the use of sewage water for irrigation

Answer 1

In Phase I monitoring of sewage water at the source wherein the quality of major wastewater (primarily sewage) outfalls from various treatment plants of the city was monitored over a period of one year. Phase II, III & IV are about monitoring the sewage, soil as well as crop quality respectively at the point of their use in irrigation i.e. at the agricultural areas of villages in the vicinity of the sewage receiving streams. The last three phases can be carried out collectively.

Objectives

To study the quality of sewage from wastewater outfalls and that received at the agricultural fields by analyzing various physico-chemical and biological constituents.
To analyse the concentration of toxic constituents in sewage, soil and crops and trace its source.
To assess the short and long term impacts of sewage irrigation on soil, crop and human health.
To know the farmer’s perspective of using sewage for irrigation and to assess the actual changes in crop yield, irrigation pattern, pesticides/fertilizer use with sewage farming compared to farming with potable water.
To suggest and recommend appropriate treatment and wastewater management techniques for safe usage of sewage in irrigation
To frame a Comprehensive Management Plan for using sewage water in irrigation.
Project Benefits

The project will have the following benefits:

Farmers as they can directly use the sewage for irrigation, if the quality of sewage is found under the desired norms.
Local Authority could be made aware about the actual performance of the city’s STP’s
Deliverables

The wastewater which would have been disposed in natural streams can be diverted for reuse in irrigation purposes, thus reducing the pollution load on the environment.
Sewage is a good source for irrigation in water scare conditions. In regions where groundwater is drawn for watering agricultural fields, the water table decreases quickly. In such conditions, sewage farming can be the best alternative.
It has been reported that crop yield and productivity increases with the use of sewage for irrigation.
Cost of purchasing chemical fertilizers to increase crop productivity can be reduced as the sewage is rich in nutrients to some extent.
Commercial crops can be easily grown on sewage farms.