Abstract

SILVA, Jorge; TORRES, Patricia  and  MADERA, Carlos. Domestic wastewater reuse in agriculture. A review. Agron. colomb. [online]. 2008, vol.26, n.2, pp.347-359. ISSN 0120-9965.

Because of the limited availability of water to satisfy the population requirement, the low costs, soil benefits and decrease of the environmental impact, the wastewaters are an important additional source to guarantee the water demand. However, the predominant use of raw wastewater diluted with superficial waters and low percent of wastewater treatment in Colombia and Latin American countries generate public health risks mainly when the reuse is for irrigation of crops of direct consumption. It is always recommended to make a preliminary and primary treatment; the secondary treatment besides removing efficiently organic matter and suspended solids, influences directly in the compounds such as nitrogen, thus it is important to keep in mind the requirements of the cultivation type and the soil. This article proposes the use of domestic wastewaters as an alternative resource in agricultural activities and privileging the industrialized crops.

Keywords : raw wastewater; diluted wastewater; treated wastewater; nutrients; microbiologic risk.

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