Assessing the quality of the municipal wastewater used for irrigation in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Abstract Municipal wastewater has been inevitably rising over time with the growing population, rapid urbanisation, and expanding sewerages. This study was conducted in the Jodhpur district of Western Rajasthan, India, which has a hot semi-arid climate and faces an acute shortage of good-quality water for irrigation. As a result, municipal wastewater is being used in agricultural fields in urban and peri-urban areas of Jodhpur. This study evaluates the suitability of municipal wastewater for irrigation in agriculture. Samples were collected from the Basni Bedan drainage area during December, 2022 and were analysed for various physico-chemical and biological parameters. The SAR value and EC were observed as 13 + 0.20 Meq/L and 1352.5 + 20.11 μS cm−1. BOD, DO, and COD values were obtained 56 + 2.57, 365 + 7.64, and 3.55 + 0.13 mg/L, respectively, which were above the Indian Standard permissible levels. High levels of total coliform counts, 177.5 + 4.86 MPN/100mL, were found. Statistical analysis reveals a positive correlation for pairs chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (R=0.98) and a negative correlation for pairs BOD and dissolved oxygen (DO) (R=0.99). It was concluded that the studied wastewater is polluted and may cause potential health risks. There is a need for proper planning and strategies to develop an economical viable treatment system for sustainable agricultural management.