International Perspective on Water Resources Management and Wastewater Reuse – Appropriate Technologies

Abstract

The unabated urbanization and industrialization process in many arid and semi-arid countries leads to increasing demand for municipal and industrial water supply, often in direct competition with irrigation demand. In such cases wastewater reclamation and reuse should be an integral component of water resources management strategies. National reuse policies should be developed and implemented taking into account local conditions and based on affordable approaches that ensure safe reuse practice. This paper describes research and development carried out in several developing countries on appropriate technologies for implementing reuse, as well as coordinated international efforts to provide recommended guidelines and policies for safe wastewater reuse in agriculture and aquaculture.