ABSTRACT
Irrigation of crops with raw, municipal wastewater has been a common practice for many decades in developing countries such as China, Mexico, Peru, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, India and Vietnam, mainly due to its nutrient value recognized by farmers [1]. Moreover, in some poor areas of developing countries like Mexico, wastewater reuse represents a critical opportunity of improving living standards by increasing income and ensuring food supplies [2]. Unfortunately, the use of untreated municipal wastewater in an agricultural setting poses risks to human health due to the
potential presence of excreta-related pathogens (viruses, bacteria, protozoan and multicellular parasites), skin irritants and toxic chemicals including heavy metals; although it is uncommon to find unsafe levels of heavy metals in municipal wastewater [3]. Consequently, it is important to both treat the wastewater and select wastewater treatment processes that reduce pathogen while retaining nutrients if the water is to be applied for irrigation purposes [4]. Reuse of treated, high-quality reclaimed wastewater for agriculture not only protects human health but is also a good conservation strategy by reducing the consumption of limited drinking water for irrigation and reducing fertilizer costs to the agricultural sector in low-income countries.
