Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater and excreta in agriculture and aquaculture : measures for public health protection

Abstract

Presents and explains the full range of practical and technical factors that need to be considered when planning, designing, and implementing schemes for the safe reuse of wastewater and excreta in agriculture and aquaculture. Emphasis is placed on the practical implications of new knowledge indicating that the recycling of wastewater and excreta can now be managed in ways that eliminate risks to health. In keeping with growing appreciation for the importance of resource conservation, the book also presents compelling arguments for the environmental advantages of reuse schemes, including increased crop yields, reduced requirements for artificial fertilizers, avoidance of surface water pollution, conservation of soil and freshwater resources, and desertification control. The objective is to give policy-makers, senior professionals, and consulting engineers guidance in the technical options available to maximize these environmental benefits without introducing risks to health. Chapters in the first half of the book explain why human wastes are increasingly regarded as a safe and valuable resource for use in crop irrigation, soil fertilization, and aquaculture. In line with the vital importance of scientifically sound planning and management, readers are given detailed information on both potential and actual health risks posed by each of 30 excreta-related pathogens. The second half of the book provides richly detailed guidance on technical options for health protection and on the administrative, legal, and financial components of project planning and implementation