Wastewater conservation and reuse in quality vegetable cultivation: Overview, challenges and future prospects

Abstract

The serious water scarcity experienced across the globe and the desire for sufficient food production all year round to combat hunger, poverty and malnutrition necessitate the need for wastewater reuse in irrigation. Wastewater has varied compositions that affect the growth of different crops positively, they may also be a source of dangerous pollutant. Heavy consumption of vegetables have been encouraged for its nutritional and health advantages. Hence, their production and cultivation have increased globally. While the nutritional advantage of vegetables is appealing, their high susceptibility to harbor and spread pathogenic microbes call for serious concern. Activities such as transportation, improper handling and packaging amongst others are sources of vegetable contamination. Irrigation water and techniques however present greater danger. Agro-industrial wastewater of a ready-to-eat vegetable (RTEv) industry operating a closed system may reintroduce microbes to vegetable gardens. The use of raw domestic wastewater, either black or grey water in vegetable cultivation presents attendant challenges which must be handled with utmost precaution. This review is focused on the dangers associated with the reuse of agro-industrial and domestic wastewater, precautions required as well as possible preventive/reduction measures. The possible dangers associated with "crude irrigation techniques" used in vegetable cultivation in the Southwestern part of Nigeria are presented. This work will no doubt serve as a tool for policy makers and environmentalists in enlightenment and awareness campaigns in educating most rural dwellers who are ignorant of these dangers.

Constructed Wetlands to Face Water Scarcity and Water Pollution Risks: Learning from Farmers’ Perception in Alicante, Spain

“…For example, the set of projections for scenario methods while being used for landscaping and environmental goals, especially in areas suffering from water scarcity in the spring and summer seasons [23][24][25]. However, amongst financial constraints, inadequate regulatory frameworks, or engineering issues, several drawbacks mainly associated with health risks and significant sources of pollution to natural water bodies and the environment at large have increased the yuck factor [26,27]. For example, many studies have examined the role that factors such as water source, intended use, risk perception, trust, disgust, or economic incentives can have in hindering or facilitating acceptance of wastewater reuse.…”

Water Conflicts: From Ancient to Modern Times and in the Future

“…Many researchers have confirmed that rain harvesting (RH) can provide water in urban/suburban, industrial, and rural areas [107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118], promising to save freshwater, a potential that may reduce tensions and competition among users. It is considered a low health risk, cost-efficient, and an environmentally friendly technology [119][120][121], a fact that has allowed its expansion in many developing and developed countries (EU, USA, UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Africa) [116].…”

Heavy Metals in Food Crops: Ideal Sources and Roles of Urban Agriculture in Facilitating Their Consumption- A Review

“…In Europe, policies demanding proper treatment of wastewater before use for agricultural purposes are in place (Deviller et al, 2020). Wastewater irrigation exposed agricultural soil to many forms of contaminants including dangerous HMs (Chaoua et al, 2019;Inyinbor et al, 2019), pathogens, and soil salinization (Ofori et al, 2021). Wastewater contains more HMs than water from the canal and tube-well (Anjum et al, 2021).…”

“…Many farmers understand the dangers of using contaminated water in food production (Maleksaeidi et al, 2018) but have no concern about the consequences of their activities on the soil and water safety and humans health (Shaharoona et al, 2019). Water scarcity, poverty, and the pressing need for sufficient food production necessitate the use of contaminated water in food production (Inyinbor et al, 2019;Turan et al, 2018). Many farmers opt to use contaminated water because is the only available source they can afford (Maleksaeidi et al, 2018).…”