Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater in agriculture: revisiting WHO guidelines

The use of wastewater in agriculture is occurring more frequently because of water scarcity and population growth. Often the poorest households rely on this resource for their livelihood and food security needs. However, there are negative health implications of this practice that need to be address...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water science and technology 2004-01, Vol.50 (2), p.31-38
Main Authors: Carr, R M, Blumenthal, U J, Mara, D Duncan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural management
Agricultural wastes
Agriculture
Beneficial use
Conservation of Natural Resources
Developing countries
Drinking water
Epidemiology
Food contamination & poisoning
Food security
Guidelines
Guidelines as Topic
Health
Health risk assessment
Health risks
Households
Humans
Hygiene
Infections
Irrigation
LDCs
Microorganisms
Nutrition
Pathogens
Population growth
Promotion
Public Health
Quality standards
Risk Assessment
Risk management
Sanitation
Solutions
Surface water
Urban areas
Waste Disposal, Fluid - standards
Wastewater
Water quality
Water scarcity
Water Supply - standards
Water treatment
World Health Organization
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Summary:The use of wastewater in agriculture is occurring more frequently because of water scarcity and population growth. Often the poorest households rely on this resource for their livelihood and food security needs. However, there are negative health implications of this practice that need to be addressed. WHO developed Guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater in Agriculture in 1989. The Guidelines are currently being revised based on new data from epidemiological studies, quantitative microbial risk assessments and other relevant information. WHO guidelines must be practical and offer feasible risk management solutions that will minimize health threats and allow for the beneficial use of scarce resources. To achieve the greatest impact on health, guidelines should be implemented with other health measures such as: health education, hygiene promotion, provision of adequate drinking water and sanitation, and other health care measures.
ISSN:0273-1223
1996-9732
DOI:10.2166/wst.2004.0081