The Long-Term Impact of Wastewater Irrigation in the Era of Global Concern of Antibiotic Resistance: A Perspective From a Developing Country

Abstract

Insufficient supply of fresh water remains a global problem, particularly in Africa and Middle East. Using wastewater effluent as an alternative water source for irrigating crops has become a feasible alternative; this relieves demand for fresh water. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are widely recognized as reservoirs for antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) that are associated with pathogenesis. This is because WWTPs receive water from various sources and frequently contain antibiotic resistance determinants. Following treatment, wastewater effluent is often discharged into rivers and ponds which are used for irrigation of crops, resulting in the introduction of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs into agricultural soils. Many countries have embarked on surveillance and monitoring of antibiotic resistance dissemination in agricultural environments. However, in Botswana no studies have been carried out on dissemination of antibiotic resistance in the environment particularly in agroecosystems. This review will provide a perspective on the long-term impact of wastewater irrigation and a proposal for monitoring antibiotic resistance in a developing country in this era of growing concern on antibiotic resistance.

Assessing bacterial diversity and antibiotic resistance dynamics in wastewater effluent-irrigated soil and vegetables in a microcosm setting

“…Irrigation of crops using wastewater effluent has been adapted by many African countries such as South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, this reduces the need for fresh water while improving food security ( Khalid et al., 2018 ; Onalenna and Rahube 2019 ). Increasing reports have shown that plants have the ability to passively uptake water soluble contaminants through the roots which can be translocated and concentrated into other parts of the plant such as leaves, although this more so in hydroponic cultures compared to conventional crops in soil ( Pullagurala et al., 2018 ; Madikizela et al., 2018 ).…”