ABSTRACT
There is a widespread concern among various communities and govern ments in many countries about the treatment of wastewaters before their release to prevent pollution of natural waterbodies. Pollution of natural waterbodies can reduce the potential reuse of the water and pose risks to fisheries and public health in downstream locations (Pescod, 1992; Kirkham-this volume, Chapter 3). In many countries, urban expansion and industrialization has led to more water being diverted for domestic and industrial uses, thereby decreasing the future water supplies for agriculture and other uses. Therefore, wastewater reuse options need to be developed in order to meet the increasing demands on scarce freshwater supplies. The specific combination of wastewater treatment and release techniques, with wastewater reuse options adopted in any given river catchment will vary according to local factors, such as the need to maintain adequate environmental flows, land suitability and availability for irrigated cropping, and other potential reuses for w astew ater (Jayawardane, 1995).
