Water strategies and potential of water reuse in the south Mediterranean countries

Abstract

Water in the South Mediterranean countries of the Arab region is inherently scarce as a result of naturally and or semi-arid conditions. The population growth and economic development in the region have increased the demand for water which is expected to be doubled in the next 25 years. The increased use of the fixed water resource in response to rising demands is not only reducing water availability, but also jeopardizing water quality. In view of the vital importance of water for sustaining life and promoting development, appropriate technological solutions are considered to augment water resources through non-conventional sources. Reuse of treated wastewater would have greater impact on future usable sources of water than any of the technological solutions available for increasing water supply. Water reuse in agriculture is justified on agronomic and economic grounds, but care must be taken to minimize adverse health and environmental impacts. It will result in savings of fresh water and augmentation of water supply required for irrigation to overcome the shortage in food sufficiency. However, appropriate technologies of wastewater treatment and irrigation systems will have to be developed and tested in order to promote wide use of treated wastewater in irrigation within the Arab region.