The dan region sewerage wastewater treatment and reclamation scheme

Abstract

The Greater Tel-Aviv (Dan Region) urban area is composed of seven municipalities producing close to 100 million cubic meters per year (mcmy) of wastewaters, serving a population equivalent of over 1.7 millions. The Dan Region Association of Towns for Sewerage serves the largest population, commercial and tourism center of Israel as well as an important part of its industry. The flow of wastewater in the region is expected to reach some 150 mcmy by the end of this decade due to its intensive growth. Due to the perennial and severe shortage of water, Israel has adopted a national policy of maximizing wastewater reuse, aimed principally at agricultural irrigation of crops without any restrictions (including fruits and vegetables eaten uncooked). The quality requirements for the reclaimed wastewater are quite stringent, due to the fact that a large proportion of the agricultural produce is intended for export to foreign countries. The Dan Region - Third Line scheme is an example of a holistic approach to urban sewerage system integrated with reclamation and agricultural reuse, within an overall policy-making, engineering design, operation, monitoring, surveillance, management, administration and legal framework. It has a combined health, environmental and economical benefit to the urban communities and critical economic and livelihood benefit to the rural community.