Treating and reusing wastewater for agricultural use is increasingly attractive to municipal governments as more areas of the world suffer regular drought- indeed it was a subject that was discussed at length at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in January 2017.
Abu Dhabi has made a commitment to reuse 100% of its wastewater by 2020, leading the way for many other nations to follow. There are challenges to overcome – untreated wastewater can contain chemical pollution, pharmaceutical residue, pathogens and microbes, so it is essential that it is made safe before it is either reused (or pumped away where is will eventually join water courses).
Traditional methods of disinfecting water, for example with the use of chlorine gas, can create harmful by-products that are released into the environment when the water is used. UV disinfection of waste water is a chemical-free process that renders harmful microorganisms safe and ensures safe water for residents, workers and flora and fauna that inhabits local water bodies.
