Wastewater management and resource recovery in intensive rural industries in Australia

Abstract

Abstract Intensive rural industry is developing rapidly in parts of inland Australia. Also, coastal cities are investigating the use of sewage for crop growth, to avoid expensive treatment processes and pollution of rivers, streams and oceans. However, in the past, land spreading of manure and liquid effluent has sometimes degraded surface and groundwater quality irreversibly. Many surface waters are particularly vulnerable to phosphorus enrichment while some groundwaters are already heavily polluted with nitrates. Salt must be managed carefully to avoid degradation of soil fertility and structure in the longer term. Root zone accumulation of salt must be avoided by redistribution and storage in the landscape or by dilution in peak flows. The question is whether the nutient and water resources in effluents can be effectively and economically captured, so that water resources will be adequately protected from the cumulative effect of many small additions.