Spatial Correlation Between Treated Wastewater Quality and its De-facto Reuse in Agricultural Irrigation: A Case Study of the Netherlands

“Globally, there are ongoing efforts to secure a consistent and sustainable freshwater supply, with a crucial focus on optimizing the use of existing water resources. An important strategy in this endeavor involves exploring unconventional water resources, such as the reuse of treated wastewater (TWW). Currently, de-facto (or indirect) reuse of TWW is prevalent, characterized by the extraction from surface water bodies for various purposes, including the irrigation of crops in agricultural regions. The widespread nature of de-facto reuse poses a challenge, especially since irrigation activities often coincide with dry conditions, during which TWW constitutes a substantial proportion of many surface water bodies. Hence, these practices could contribute to notable pollution concerns, potentially serving as one of the pathways for the introduction of contaminants into the groundwater system, as well as the soil-plant systems, eventually entering the food chain.
A notable gap in existing research lies in the absence of consideration for the spatial relationship between irrigated fields, affected by TWW of varying quality, and its emission source, namely the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Conducting this type of analysis holds the potential for a dual interpretation: i) comprehending the influence of different WWTPs contributing to pollution dispersion on individual fields, and ii) understanding the impact of a specific WWTP on all fields utilizing the discharged TWW from that particular facility.”

(Citation: Rakonjac, N., Pronk, T., and P. Bartholomeus, R.: Spatial Correlation Between Treated Wastewater Quality and its De-facto Reuse in Agricultural Irrigation: A Case Study of the Netherlands, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-13598, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-13598, 2024)