Your search found 35 records
1 Keraita, Bernard; Konradsen, F.; Drechsel, Pay; Abaidoo, R. C. 2007. Effect of low-cost irrigation methods on microbial contamination of lettuce irrigated with untreated wastewater. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 12(Suppl. 2):15-22.
Irrigation practices ; Wastewater irrigation ; Vegetables ; Lettuces ; Urban agriculture ; Helminths ; Laboratory techniques ; Furrow irrigation ; Sprinkler irrigation ; Drip irrigation ; Biological contamination ; Health hazards ; Risks / Ghana / Kumasi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 631.7.5 G200 KER Record No: H040534)
2 Keraita, Bernard; Konradsen, F.; Drechsel, Pay; Abaidoo, R. C. 2007. Reducing microbial contamination on wastewater-irrigated lettuce by cessation of irrigation before harvesting. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 12(Suppl. 2):7-13.
Wastewater irrigation ; Vegetables ; Lettuces ; Urban agriculture ; Health hazards ; Risks ; Laboratory techniques ; Biological contamination / Ghana / Kumasi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 631.7.5 G200 KER Record No: H040535)
3 Gebre, G.; Van Rooijen, Daniel J. 2009. Urban water pollution and irrigated vegetable farming in Addis Ababa. Paper presented at the 34th WEDC International Conference, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: Sustainable Development and Multisectoral Approaches, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18-22 May 2009. 6p.
Waste management ; Pollution control ; Water pollution ; Water quality ; Rivers ; Public health ; Waterborne diseases ; Health hazards ; Chemical contamination ; Biological contamination ; Urban agriculture ; Wastewater irrigation ; Vegetables ; Income / Ethiopia / Addis Ababa / Akaki Rivers
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042262)
http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/resources/conference/34/Gebre_G_-_166.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H042262.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H042262.pdf
(0.11 MB) (270.97KB)
Water pollution can be considered as a side-effect of economic growth and is a common phenomenon in fast growing cities in developing countries. This paper describes the situation in Addis Ababa by tracing the origins of pollution and by portraying urban and peri-urban farmers who depend on polluted water sources for irrigated agriculture. Discharge of untreated effluent from industries, solid wastes and wastewater from households and institution, are the major sources of pollution of the rivers flowing through the city. For existing industries, pollution control mechanisms such as discharge permits and limits to the disposal of effluents into the environment should be enforced. The local and state governments should enhance public sensitization programs on hygiene, sanitation and environmental issues.
4 Amponsah-Doku, F.; Obiri-Danso, K.; Abaidoo, R. C.; Andoh, L. A.; Drechsel, Pay; Kondrasen, F. 2010. Bacterial contamination of lettuce and associated risk factors at production sites, markets and street food restaurants in urban and peri-urban Kumasi, Ghana. Scientific Research and Essays, 5(2):217-223.
Biological contamination ; Bacteria ; Vegetable growing ; Lettuces ; Salmonella ; Irrigation water ; Wastewater irrigation ; Wastewater treatment ; Urban areas ; Risks ; Health hazards ; Microbiological analysis ; Indicators ; Social aspects ; Farmers / Ghana / Kumasi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044754)
(107.32KB)
There is increasing evidence that urban grown vegetables in developing countries can be contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. This is particularly true when wastewater is used in irrigation. The microbiological quality of wastewater grown lettuce on farms, markets and at street food vendor sites were evaluated for thermotolerant coliforms, enterococci and Salmonella using standard methods. Farm irrigation water and market refreshing water (water used in keeping the lettuce fresh) samples were also analysed. Thermotolerant coliforms on lettuce varied from 2.3 × 103 to 9.3 × 108 on farm, 6.0 ×101 to 2.3 × 108 on market and 2.3 × 106 to 2.4 × 109 at street food vendor sites. Indicator bacterial numbers on farm lettuce were higher compared to the irrigation water (1.5 × 103 to 4.3 × 106) used on the farms. Thermotolerant coliform numbers in market refreshing water (9.0 × 103 to 4.3 × 1010) were higher compared to that on the market lettuce. Enterococci numbers on lettuce were lower and ranged from 3.9 × 101 to 1.0 × 106 on farm, 6.0 × 101 to 9.0 × 104 on market and 5.1 × 103 to 2.5 × 106 at street food vendor sites. Salmonella numbers recorded at food vendor sites ranged from 1.5 × 101 to 9.3 × 102. In general, thermotolerant coliforms numbers increased by 18% while enterococci numbers reduced by 64% from the farms to the street foods. Bacterial counts on farm lettuce and irrigation water, market lettuce and refreshing water and street foods all exceeded the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) and International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food (ICMSF) standards of 103. Wastewater use on farms and refreshing water in markets could be the main contributors to lettuce contamination and that education on use of effective de-contamination or washing methods before eating will contribute to reducing the risk associated with the consumption of such contaminated foods.
5 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); National Risk Management Research Laboratory; USAID. 2012. 2012 Guidelines for water reuse. Washington, DC, USA: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Cincinnati, OH, USA: National Risk Management Research Laboratory; Washington, DC, USA: USAID. 642p. (EPA/600/R-12/618)
Water reuse ; Guidelines ; Urbanization ; Water Management ; Water resources ; Water conservation ; Water scarcity ; Water supply ; Water storage ; Surface water ; Water quality ; Drinking water ; Pumping ; Aquifers ; Lakes ; Wells ; Institutions ; Land use ; Environmental protection ; Public health ; Agricultural production ; Livestock ; Wetlands ; Wildlife ; Fisheries ; Rivers ; Energy generation ; Groundwater recharge ; Water rights ; Regulations ; Indicators ; Climate change ; Precipitation ; Microorganisms ; Biological contamination ; Chemical contamination ; Filtration ; Case studies
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H045517)
http://www.waterreuseguidelines.org/images/documents/2012epaguidelines.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H045517.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H045517.pdf
(27.96 MB) (27.96MB)
6 Machdar, E.; van der Steen, N. P.; Raschid-Sally, Liqa; Lens, P. N. L. 2013. Application of quantitative microbial risk assessment to analyze the public health risk from poor drinking water quality in a low income area in Accra, Ghana. Science of the Total Environment, 449(1):134-142. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.01.048]
Drinking water ; Water quality ; Public health ; Biological contamination ; Risk assessment ; Water supply ; Waterborne diseases ; Households ; Income ; Cost effectiveness analysis ; Escherichia coli / Ghana / Accra
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H045708)
(0.35 MB)
In Accra, Ghana, a majority of inhabitants lives in over-crowded areas with limited access to piped water supply, which is often also intermittent. This study assessed in a densely populated area the risk from microbial contamination of various sources of drinking water, by conducting a Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment (QMRA) to estimate the risk to human health from microorganism exposure and dose–response relationships. Furthermore the cost-effectiveness in reducing the disease burden through targeted interventions was evaluated. Five risk pathways for drinking water were identified through a survey (110 families), namely household storage, private yard taps, communal taps, communal wells and water sachets. Samples from each source were analyzed for Escherichia coli and Ascaris contamination. Published ratios between E. coli and other pathogenswere used for theQMRA and disease burden calculations. The major part of the burden of disease originated from E. coli O157:H7 (78%) and the least important contributor was Cryptosporidium (0.01%). Other pathogens contributed 16% (Campylobacter), 5% (Rotavirus) and 0.3% (Ascaris). The sum of the disease burden of these pathogens was 0.5 DALYs per person per year, which is much higher than the WHO reference level. The major contamination pathway was found to be household storage. Disinfection of water at household level was the most cost-effective intervention (b5 USD/DALY-averted) togetherwith hygiene education.Water supply network improvements were significantly less cost-effective.
7 Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B. (Eds.) 2014. Irrigated urban vegetable production in Ghana: characteristics, benefits and risk mitigation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 247p. [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2014.219]
Irrigated farming ; Urban agriculture ; Suburban agriculture ; Vegetable growing ; Risk management ; Wastewater irrigation ; Cropping systems ; Food security ; Food supply ; Sanitation ; Water quality ; Water use ; Water policy ; Economic aspects ; Financing ; Households ; Income ; Marketing ; Gender ; Women farmers ; Land tenure ; Soil fertility ; Biological contamination ; Pesticide residues ; Helminths ; Heavy metals ; Faecal coliforms ; Environmental health ; Sustainability ; Public health ; Health hazards ; Malaria ; Stakeholders / Ghana / West Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H046597)
(3.76 MB)
8 Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B.; Seidu, R.; Abaidoo, R. C. 2014. Human health risks from wastewater-irrigated vegetable farming. In Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B. (Eds.) Irrigated urban vegetable production in Ghana: characteristics, benefits and risk mitigation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.104-115.
Public health ; Health hazards ; Wastewater irrigation ; Vegetables ; Biological contamination ; Heavy metals ; Pesticides / Ghana / Accra
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H046606)
(149 KB)
Contamination levels of water and crops which exceed common standards are only a first indication of human health risks. This chapter shows estimates of human health risks from consumption of wastewater-irrigated vegetables based for example on dose-response modeling. The chapter focuses on human health risks and risk perceptions of microbiological and chemical contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides.
9 Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B.; Amoah, Philip; Karg, H. 2014. Health risk management for safe vegetable irrigation. In Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B. (Eds.) Irrigated urban vegetable production in Ghana: characteristics, benefits and risk mitigation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.180-198.
Health hazards ; Risk management ; Vegetable growing ; Wastewater irrigation ; Wastewater treatment ; Farmers ; Biological contamination ; Food consumption ; WHO ; Sanitation ; Pathogens ; Income / Ghana / Accra
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H046611)
(869.97 KB)
This chapter presents approaches tested in Ghana to mitigate wastewater irrigation-related risks for consumers and farmers from microbial contamination. The recommended interventions follow the WHO approach concerning multiple barriers along the food chain. Factors that could support the uptake of safety measures are discussed.
10 De Keuckelaere, A.; Jacxsens, L.; Amoah, Philip; Medema, G.; McClure, P.; Jaykus, L.-A.; Uyttendaele, M. 2015. Zero risk does not exist: lessons learned from microbial risk assessment related to use of water and safety of fresh produce. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 14(4):387-410. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12140]
Risk assessment ; Biological contamination ; Health hazards ; Pathogens ; Rotavirus ; Bacteria ; Helminths ; Water quality ; Water use ; Fresh products ; Fruits ; Vegetables ; Wastewater treatment ; Food poisoning ; Food quality ; Consumer behaviour
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047014)
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1541-4337.12140/pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047014.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047014.pdf
(0.50 MB) (514 KB)
Risk assessments related to use of water and safety of fresh produce originate from both water and food microbiology studies. Although the set-up and methodology of risk assessment in these 2 disciplines may differ, analysis of the current literature reveals some common outcomes. Most of these studies from the water perspective focus on enteric virus risks, largely because of their anticipated high concentrations in untreated wastewater and their resistance to common wastewater treatments. Risk assessment studies from the food perspective, instead, focus mainly on bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and pathogenic Escherichia coli. Few site-specific data points were available for most of these microbial risk assessments, meaning that many assumptions were necessary, which are repeated in many studies. Specific parameters lacking hard data included rates of pathogen transfer from irrigation water to crops, pathogen penetration, and survival in or on food crops. Data on these factors have been investigated over the last decade and this should improve the reliability of future microbial risk estimates. However, the sheer number of different foodstuffs and pathogens, combined with water sources and irrigation practices, means that developing risk models that can span the breadth of fresh produce safety will be a considerable challenge. The new approach using microbial risk assessment is objective and evidence-based and leads to more flexibility and enables more tailored risk management practices and guidelines. Drawbacks are, however, capacity and knowledge to perform the microbial risk assessment and the need for data and preferably data of the specific region.
11 Zakeel, M. C. M. 2015. Bio-filmed biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture and environment. Soba Parisara Prakashanaya, 24(1):49-51.
Sustainable agriculture ; Ecosystems ; Soil biology ; Biofertilizers ; Soil organisms ; Soil microorganisms ; Biological contamination ; Plant growth
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: P 8159 Record No: H047166)
(0.74 MB)
12 Kabir, M. P.; Islam, M. A.; Akber, M. A. 2015. Bacteriological assessment of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) water in southwest coastal areas of Bangladesh. In Humphreys, E.; Tuong, T. P.; Buisson, Marie-Charlotte; Pukinskis, I.; Phillips, M. (Eds.). Proceedings of the CPWF, GBDC, WLE Conference on Revitalizing the Ganges Coastal Zone: Turning Science into Policy and Practices, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 21-23 October 2014. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF). pp.82-88.
Groundwater recharge ; Aquifers ; Coastal area ; Drinking water ; Water quality ; Domestic water ; Water storage ; Water purification ; Bacteriological analysis ; Biological contamination ; Chemicophysical properties ; Wells ; Ponds / Southwest Bangladesh / Khulna / Bagerhat / Dacope / Batiaghata / Mongla
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H047196)
https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/66389/Revitalizing%20the%20Ganges%20Coastal%20Zone%20Book_Low%20Version.pdf?sequence=1
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047196.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047196.pdf
(0.27 MB) (11.9 MB)
13 de Bon, H.; Holmer, R. J.; Aubry, C. 2015. Urban horticulture. In de Zeeuw, H.; Drechsel, Pay (Eds.). Cities and agriculture: developing resilient urban food systems. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.218-254.
Urban agriculture ; Horticulture ; Alternative agriculture ; Garden frames ; Hydroponics ; Food consumption ; Food intake ; Vegetables ; Fruits ; Diversification ; Biodiversity ; Pollution ; Heavy metals ; Fertigation ; Pesticide residues ; Nitrates ; Biological contamination ; Wastewater treatment ; Water reuse ; Greenhouses ; Irrigation systems
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H047261)
http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/Publications/Books/PDF/cities_and_agriculture-developing_resilient_urban_food_systems.pdf
http://www.ruaf.org/sites/default/files/9.%20Urban%20horticulture.compressed.pdf
http://www.ruaf.org/sites/default/files/9.%20Urban%20horticulture.compressed.pdf
(50.6 MB)
14 Lonigro, A.; Rubino, P.; Lacasella, V.; Montemurro, N. 2016. Faecal pollution on vegetables and soil drip irrigated with treated municipal wastewaters. Agricultural Water Management, 174:66-73. (Special Issue on Sustainable Water Resources Management: Theory and Case Studies, Part I Overseen by Dr. Brent Clothier). [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2016.02.001]
Wastewater irrigation ; Drip irrigation ; Biological contamination ; Faecal coliforms ; Vegetable crops ; Wastewater treatment ; Urban wastes ; Water quality ; Water reuse ; Urban agriculture ; Health hazards ; Soil properties ; Chemicophysical properties / Southern Italy / Apulia Region
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047663)
(0.73 MB)
A three-year study was carried out to evaluate the effects of three different types of municipal treated wastewater distributed by drip irrigation on the microbial quality of some vegetable crops. The three different treated wastewater were: a secondary effluent originated from the municipal treatment plant after screening and grit removal, primary clarifiers followed by activated sludge process and partial aerobic stabilization of the sludge, finally the chemical precipitation of phosphorus, denitrification and chlorination; the second source, a tertiary-treated wastewater is originated after that the secondary effluent is first treated through granular media sand filtration and then it is pumped into the second phase of treatment represented by ultra-filtration module equipped with hollow fibre membranes (nominal porosity 0.2 m). The third water source was a simplified lagooning treatment in which part of the secondary effluent is pumped outside of the municipal plant and it is collected in a big reversed pyramid-shaped land pit, in this tank the water resided for a 4–5 days before being distributed to crops. In an experimental field in southern Italy (Apulia region) the physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of the irrigation waters and faecal pollution on typical vegetable crops of southern Italy environment were determined. Total and Faecal Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella and protozoa Giardia and Cryptosporidium were monitored in the irrigation water, on plants and on soil at harvesting time. The different quality of irrigation water affected yields. For microbial results, however, in spite of the water contained high levels of microbial load (248, 1713 and 123429 E. coli cfu 100 mL-1 in Tertiary filtered Wastewater, Lagoon treated Wastewater and Secondary treated Wastewater, respectively), exceeding the values of law (10 E. coli cfu 100 mL-1), on crops and on soil, at harvesting time revealed no pollution. Salmonella and Cryptosporidium were never found in water, soil and crops. These data show that it is possible to irrigate with municipal treated wastewater and how despite they have higher values than those imposed by Italian law, crops quality and soil do not present any problems of faecal pollution and therefore do not cause risks for human health.
15 Gwenzi, W.; Dunjana, N.; Pisa, C.; Tauro, T.; Nyamadzawo, G. 2015. Water quality and public health risks associated with roof rainwater harvesting systems for potable supply: review and perspectives. Sustainability of Water Quality and Ecology, 6:107-118. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.swaqe.2015.01.006]
Drinking water ; Water use ; Water quality control ; Public health ; Health hazards ; Rainwater ; Water harvesting ; Water supply ; Chemical contamination ; Biological contamination ; Catchment areas ; Risk assessment ; Strategies ; Weather patterns ; Land use ; Developing countries
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047913)
(0.76 MB)
Knowledge of rainwater quality is critical for safeguarding public health. The review investigated rainwater quality, and public health risks associated with its consumption. Land use practices, roof material, weather patterns and their interactions influence rainwater quality. Contrary to the notion that roof water is safe, data point to physico-chemical and microbial contamination of rainwater via atmospheric deposition, leaching and weathering of roof materials, storage/conveyance utilities and faecal contamination. However, epidemiological studies linking consumption of rainwater to public health risks are scarce especially in developing countries. This reflects the lack of epidemiological research and confounding factors such as high disease burden. To minimize the public health risks, we recommend the implementation of risk assessment framework integrating laboratory analytical results and sanitary inspection risk analysis. Such a framework will enable proper prioritization and targeting of engineering/technological interventions, public education and housekeeping programmes.
16 Martinez-Santos, P. 2017. Does 91% of the world’s population really have “sustainable access to safe drinking water”? International Journal of Water Resources Development, 33(4):514-533. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2017.1298517]
Drinking water ; Water availability ; Water resources development ; Sustainable development ; Millennium goals ; Development indicators ; Water supply ; Water security ; Water quality ; Biological contamination ; Chemical contamination ; Pollutants ; Health risks ; Population ; Human rights
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048111)
(1.39 MB)
Halving the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water was a core target of the Millennium Development Goals. This led to an unprecedented effort in the water sector, improving the livelihoods of millions of people. While the goal has officially been accomplished, unsuitable benchmarks have led to overstatement of the results. Indicators overemphasize improved water sources, disregarding the fact that many continue to be contaminated, unreliable or unaffordable. The alleged success needs to be reframed to avoid confusion, prevent investments from being reallocated away from the water sector and obtain more accurate estimates of water access.
17 Abera, B.; Bezabih, B.; Hailu, D. 2017. Microbial quality of community drinking water supplies: a ten year (2004-2014) analyses in West Amhara, Ethiopia. Sustainability of Water Quality and Ecology, 9-10:22-26. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.swaqe.2016.06.001]
Drinking water ; Water quality ; Biological contamination ; Faecal coliforms ; Escherichia coli ; Communities ; Water supply ; Bacteriological analysis ; Chlorination / Ethiopia / West Amhara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048430)
(0.32 MB)
Access to safe drinking water is an important public health and development issue at national, regional and local levels. Community drinking water supplies such as piped water, dug wells and springs are the predominant sources in rural villages and towns in Ethiopia. A retrospective analysis was conducted on microbial quality of community drinking water sources that had been processed from 2004–2014. Water samples were collected from 36 districts in west Amhara region. As per standard operational procedures, bacteriological analyses had been performed using multiple tube fermentation technique. A total of 1030 drinking water samples from (tap water n = 680), wells (n = 198), spring (n = 128) and reservoir (n = 24) were analyzed for microbial qualities. Overall, 29.0% (95% CI: 26.3–31.8%) and 44.7% (95% CI: 41.7–47.7%) of water samples had Escherichia coli and total coliforms (TC), respectively. Furthermore, 52.0%, 43.0%, and 20.2% of water samples from wells, spring and tap water were positive for E. coli. For faecal coliforms, 72.1% of drinking water supplies complied with World Health Organization and Ethiopian Standards. Tap water samples were 3.8 times less likely to be faecal contaminated than water samples from dug wells and spring water sources (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.8–5.1, P = 0.001). This ten year trend analyses showed that microbial qualities of community drinking water supplies were not to the standards. This study reinforces the need to monitor microbial quality and chlorine treatment of community water supplies.
18 Igoud, S.; Souahi, F.; Chitour, C. E. 2017. Solar wastewater treatment (SOWAT) and reuse for agricultural irrigation. Irrigation and Drainage, 66(5):750-757. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2157]
Wastewater treatment ; Solar energy ; Water reuse ; Irrigated farming ; Urban wastes ; Biological contamination ; Pollution control ; Chemicophysical properties ; Distilling ; Disinfection ; Qualitative analysis / Algeria
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048438)
(0.90 MB)
Solar wastewater treatment (SOWAT) was the subject of experiment between April and September using low cost and mastery equipment: ‘hot-box’ stills. Using a separate still, treated wastewater (i.e. distillate) production was recorded between 2.4 and 6lm -2 day -1 . Treatment efficiency was comparable to the activated sludge treatment process. Biological oxygen demand (BOD) recorded between 86 and 90% of abatement. Raw wastewater turbidity was reduced by 99%, from 181 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) to 1.6 NTU. The treatment also allowed wastewater disinfection. The inactivation of total coliforms, faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci was estimated at about 99%.
SOWAT offers the advantage of grouping, in a separate piece of equipment, three steps of conventional wastewater treatment: (i) the pre-treatment, (ii) the biological and (iii) disinfection treatments. Also, this sustainable treatment does not consume electricity and consequently does not emit greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Used on a medium and large scale, SOWAT would be promising for safe wastewater reuse in agriculture. This could secure food production of poor and low-income countries, especially those that are very sunny.
SOWAT offers the advantage of grouping, in a separate piece of equipment, three steps of conventional wastewater treatment: (i) the pre-treatment, (ii) the biological and (iii) disinfection treatments. Also, this sustainable treatment does not consume electricity and consequently does not emit greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Used on a medium and large scale, SOWAT would be promising for safe wastewater reuse in agriculture. This could secure food production of poor and low-income countries, especially those that are very sunny.
19 Mark, Y.-A.; Amoah, Philip; Nelson, A. W.; Muspratt, A.; Aikins, S. 2019. Safety assessment on microbial and heavy metal concentration in clarias gariepinus (African catfish) cultured in treated wastewater pond in Kumasi, Ghana. Environmental Technology, 40(3):302-311. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2017.1388851]
Aquaculture ; African catfish ; Biological contamination ; Heavy metals ; Risk assessment ; Wastewater ; Fish ponds ; Microbiological analysis ; Pathogens ; Chemicophysical properties ; Sediment ; Health hazards / Ghana / Kumasi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048447)
(1.16 MB)
This study assesses the microbial and heavy metal distribution in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) cultured in waste stabilization pond, and their subsequent suitability for human consumption. Treated wastewater-fed pond (WFP) was used in the culture of the fish with a non-wastewater fed pond (NWFP), fed with ground and rain water as control. Pond water, sediments and fish tissue (gill, liver, gut and skin) samples from both sources were analyzed for pathogens and heavy metal levels. Escherichia coli populations in the sediments and water from the WFP exceeded the maximum permissible limit by 2–3 log units as expected. Significantly higher levels of pathogen contamination were detected in the gut and skin of fish from the WFP than the NWFP. Heavy metal concentrations in all samples fell within the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) permissible limits except for iron and cadmium. There were significantly higher heavy metal concentrations in gill and liver than the muscle. Even though iron recorded the highest concentrations in fish tissue, the concentrations (0.1–2.0 mg kg-1) were below the expected daily nutritional requirement (1–2 mg) for humans and pose no toxicological risk. However, catfish from WFP would require precautionary measures such as cooking/grilling prior to consumption to avoid pathogen infection.
20 Kadyampakeni, Davie; Appoh, Richard; Barron, Jennie; Boakye-Acheampong, Enoch. 2018. Analysis of water quality of selected irrigation water sources in northern Ghana. Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 18(4):1308-1317. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2017.195]
Water quality ; Water storage ; Water availability ; Water requirements ; Irrigation water ; Irrigation operation ; Reservoir operation ; Salinity ; Wells ; Small scale systems ; Food security ; Electrical conductivity ; Chemical compounds ; Agricultural policy ; Rivers ; pH ; Biological contamination / Ghana
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048787)
Small-scale irrigation continues to cushion the food security gap in sub-Saharan Africa. Irrigation is largely governed by water availability, soil type and crop water requirements, among other factors. Thus, a study was conducted to assess the suitability of various water sources for irrigation in northern Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to assess quality of water sources in the Savelugu, Kasena-Nankana East, and Nabdam districts for small-scale irrigation development. The water quality parameters used were: pH, electrical conductivity (ECw), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percent (Na%), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), Kelley's ratio (KR), total hardness (TH), Chloride (Cl), E. coli, and Faecal coliforms. While we found most of the irrigation water sources, including small reservoirs, dams, wells and rivers suitable, few unsuitable irrigation water sources were also identified. Overall, the study found that opportunities for scaling small-scale irrigation exist in all the sites. The knowledge generated from this study will guide irrigation water use, and agricultural policy for sustainable smallholder irrigation development in the region.
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