Study of Reclaimed Water Reuse Standards and Prospects in Irrigation in Egypt

Abstract

The subjects of wastewater treatment and the reuse of reclaimed water are of excessive significance, especially in the regions where the lack of conventional resources is an essential problem as the situation in Egypt. This paper examines the present status for the reuse of reclaimed water in Egypt and future national water plan for reclaimed water reuse. In addition, to review the reclaimed water reuse standards for indirect irrigation in Egypt, organizations (World Health Organization (WHO) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)) and countries (Spain, Italy and Cyprus) that have been modified reclaimed water reuse standards. In addition, the study proposing standards for reclaimed water reuse in irrigation purposes aimed to maximize environmental outcomes. The proposed standards were in terms of salinity, nutrients, turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), pathogens, trace elements, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The proposed turbidity in (NTU) for cooking vegetables up to 10, (TSS) for cooking vegetables ≤10 mg/L and for cooking crops for human consumption ≤35 mg/L. (BOD) concentration for cooking crops for human consumption and for cooking vegetables were ≤35 and ≤15 mg/L respectively. (COD) concentration ≤ 35 mg/L. The proposed standards concentrations for Aluminium (Al), Cobalt (Co), Beryllium (Be), Lithium (Li) and Vanadium (V) that not detected in the Egyptian local Decree 92/2013 were added as 0.5, 0.05, 0.02, 0.5 and 0.05 mg/L respectively. Egyptian local Decree put high levels of Molybdenum (Mb) (0.07 mg/L) and the study proposes a concentration of 0.01 mg/L. Finally, (USEPA) standards for pathogens were proposed in this study. This study is expected to encourage reclaimed water reuse in Egypt in irrigation practices.

A Roadmap for Establishment of an Early Warning System for Nile Water Quality in Egypt

“…About 95% of Egyptians live in the Nile Valley depend on the Nile freshwater for all activities. Egypt current water supply is about 60 BCM/Y distributed as 55.5 BCM/Y from the Nile, 2.5 BCM/Y from deep groundwater, and 2.5 BCM/Y from shallow groundwater and desalinated water [3,16]. On the other hand, the total water demand was about 80 BCM/Y in 2017 distributed as 61.35 BCM/Y for agriculture sector, 10.75 BCM/Y for drinking, 5.4 BCM/Y for the industrial sector, and 2.5 BCM/Y as evaporation losses [16].…”

“…On the other hand, the total water demand was about 80 BCM/Y in 2017 distributed as 61.35 BCM/Y for agriculture sector, 10.75 BCM/Y for drinking, 5.4 BCM/Y for the industrial sector, and 2.5 BCM/Y as evaporation losses [16]. Non-conventional water resources such as reuse of treated wastewater and agricultural drainage water of good quality (13.5 BCM/Y) are the future key solutions to fulfil the shortage of water supplies [3]. Table 1 summarizes the number of monitoring stations, sampling frequency, and the water quality parameters.…”

“…Degradation of freshwater quality globally and especially in Egypt is becoming increasingly alarming regarding salinity, trace elements, toxic organic compounds, illegal spills, and unknown accidents that need a big cost for treatment [1]. Egypt suffers from a shortage of water resources as it has a dry climate, scarce rain, and a constant share of the Nile's water (55.5 Billion m 3 per year (BCM/Y)) according to the 1959 agreement [2]. Nowadays, in Egypt, there is a big gap between the water supplies, and the water demands because of population growth, agricultural expansion, industrial development, and rising standards of living.…”

“…Nowadays, in Egypt, there is a big gap between the water supplies, and the water demands because of population growth, agricultural expansion, industrial development, and rising standards of living. Currently Egypt reuses more than 13.5 BCM/Y of the agriculture drainage water in the agriculture sector in order to overcome this water shortage [3,4]. In addition, the demand on groundwater uses were increased [3,5].…”

“…Currently Egypt reuses more than 13.5 BCM/Y of the agriculture drainage water in the agriculture sector in order to overcome this water shortage [3,4]. In addition, the demand on groundwater uses were increased [3,5]. Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) in Egypt stablished a National Water Resources Plan in 2017 to overcome the water shortage to the year 2037, as it is planned to construct desalination, water stations, and lining the irrigation canal networks (to minimize water losses).…”