Marginal Waters for Agriculture - Characteristics and Suitability Analysis of Treated Paper Mill Effluent

Abstract

With increasing global population, the gap between supply and demand for water is widening and is reaching such alarming levels that in some parts of the world it is posing a threat to human existence. Scientists around the globe are working on new ways of conserving water. On the other hand, disposal of municipal wastewater and industrial effluents are causing major environmental problem and attempts are being made all round the world to recycle and reuse it effectively and efficiently. Utilization of the marginal quality water for agricultural is in fact an appropriate technology. Agricultural scientists throughout the world are looking into the possibility of using saline and marginal quality of water for irrigation (Ayars et al., 1993; Tanji, 1997; Bajwa, 1997;Alazaba,1998;Franco et al.,2000 and Sivanappan,2000), social forestry, development of pasteur land, artificial recharge, aquaculture and wet land development. Wastewater reuse, reclamation and recycling are essential in coming years for the development of sound water and environment management policies. In arid and semi arid regions marginal water utilization is a vital component of their water resources development ensuring alternative water resources, sustainability, reduction of environmental pollution and health protection. Wastewater from different industries, which falls under marginal water quality, can be utilized beneficially for irrigation if proper treatment, monitoring and management measures were taken. The challenges and the benefits of marginal water quality utilization has to be ascertained and appropriate package of practices which are location specific needs to be followed for the real success and long term sustainability.