Assessment and spatial mapping of treated wastewater quality for safe agricultural reuse in Tunisia

  • Meriem Krouma
  • , Layla Ben Ayed
  • , Sonia Sabbahi
  • , Emna Dridi
  • , Mohamed Rebhi
  • , Panagiotis Karanis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Treated wastewater (TWW) reuse in agriculture offers a solution to water shortage, enhances crop production, and supports environmental sustainability. This study assessed TWW quality across Tunisia. Surveys and analyses of seven physicochemical (total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand over five days (BOD5), cadmium, and lead) and five microbiological (faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, Salmonella spp., Vibrio cholerae, and helminths eggs) parameters were conducted on 81 samples from 27 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (2017–2018). Compliance with standards was found in 11.11% (COD), 14.80% (BOD5), and 18.50% (TSS) of WWTPs. Cadmium, lead, and V. cholerae were fully removed. However, faecal indicators did not meet standards. Maps and multiple correspondence analysis confirmed a need for better treatment and tertiary processes to eliminate microbiological contamination.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4928-4944
Number of pages17
JournalWater Practice and Technology
Volume19
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • geographic information system
  • physicochemical and microbiological parameters
  • treated wastewater reuse
  • Tunisia
  • wastewater quality

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