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««Existing situation, plans and policies for the Existing situation, plans and policies for the wastewater reuse in agriculture in Cyprus, Jordan wastewater reuse in agriculture in Cyprus, Jordan

and Palestineand Palestine»»

KONSTANTINOS MOUSTAKASKONSTANTINOS MOUSTAKASNTUA PhD CandidateNTUA PhD Candidate

NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERINGSCHOOL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Unit of Environmental Science and TechnologyUnit of Environmental Science and Technology

Protection and Restoration of the Environment VIIProtection and Restoration of the Environment VIIMyconos, 1/7/2004Myconos, 1/7/2004

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea Total population: 285 million in 1970, 427 million in 2000, Total population: 285 million in 1970, 427 million in 2000,

523.5 million in 2025523.5 million in 2025 Average rate of urbanisation: 64.3% at present, 72.4 in 2025Average rate of urbanisation: 64.3% at present, 72.4 in 2025 104.5 million additional urban dwellers (mainly in southern 104.5 million additional urban dwellers (mainly in southern

and eastern countries)and eastern countries) intensive demographic, social, cultural, economic and intensive demographic, social, cultural, economic and

environmental changesenvironmental changes frequent years of drought, constant increase of water frequent years of drought, constant increase of water

demand for the civil sectordemand for the civil sector

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Water Resources Available and DemandWater Resources Available and Demand

CountryCountry Water resources Water resources available (surface, available (surface, groundwater)groundwater)

MCM/yrMCM/yr

Water Water demanddemand

MCM/yrMCM/yr

Water Water Demand / Demand / Water Water Resources Resources AvailableAvailable

CyprusCyprus 300300 265.9265.9 0.890.89

JordanJordan 780780 810810 1.041.04

PalestinePalestine 295295 354354 1.21.2

MCM: million cubic meters

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Water Profile of CyprusWater Profile of Cyprus Largest island in Eastern Mediterranean (9,251kmLargest island in Eastern Mediterranean (9,251km22)) The information refer to the area of 5806kmThe information refer to the area of 5806km22

Population: 689.565, annual growth: 1.45%Population: 689.565, annual growth: 1.45% Agriculture accounts for 3.7% of the GDPAgriculture accounts for 3.7% of the GDP Domestic, industrial and commercial water consumption: 67 Domestic, industrial and commercial water consumption: 67

MCM per yearMCM per year Irrigation water: 175 MCM per yearIrrigation water: 175 MCM per year 25 main UWTPs in operation serving big cities, municipalities 25 main UWTPs in operation serving big cities, municipalities

and rural communitiesand rural communities 175 smaller catering for hotels, military bases, hospitals175 smaller catering for hotels, military bases, hospitals Treated WW produced: 20 MCM/yr at present, 30MCM/yr in Treated WW produced: 20 MCM/yr at present, 30MCM/yr in

20122012

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Water Profile of CyprusWater Profile of Cyprus

Problems:Problems:

The high water demand exists during summer, The high water demand exists during summer, water storage and disposal difficult during winterwater storage and disposal difficult during winter

no systematic monitoring of the water useno systematic monitoring of the water use disposal of treated water at the smaller UWTPs disposal of treated water at the smaller UWTPs

problematic, since farmers are unwilling to problematic, since farmers are unwilling to irrigate their cultivations with recycled waterirrigate their cultivations with recycled water

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Cypriot Competent AuthoritiesCypriot Competent Authorities Water Development DepartmentWater Development Department: : responsible for the responsible for the

implementation of the water policy, the tertiary WW implementation of the water policy, the tertiary WW treatment, allocation and distribution of the treated WW to treatment, allocation and distribution of the treated WW to agriculture agriculture

Department of AgricultureDepartment of Agriculture: : responsible for the responsible for the education of farmers in matters related to agricultural education of farmers in matters related to agricultural production, including the use of treated WWproduction, including the use of treated WW

Sewerage BoardsSewerage Boards: : public sector organizations, responsible public sector organizations, responsible for the operation and maintenance of the treatment plants, for the operation and maintenance of the treatment plants, treat WW up to secondary level, under the Ministry of Interiortreat WW up to secondary level, under the Ministry of Interior

Plans for reorganization of the institutional set-ups of the Plans for reorganization of the institutional set-ups of the water sector through the establishment of a water entity water sector through the establishment of a water entity

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Water Profile of JordanWater Profile of Jordan

Total area of 89,210 kmTotal area of 89,210 km22, east of Jordan River, east of Jordan River Total population: 5 million (growth: 3.45%/yr)Total population: 5 million (growth: 3.45%/yr) 29% of the population is rural29% of the population is rural Over 90% of Jordan receives less than 200mm of rainfall/yrOver 90% of Jordan receives less than 200mm of rainfall/yr Agriculture accounts for 2% of the GDPAgriculture accounts for 2% of the GDP The level of Dead Sea falls 85cm each yearThe level of Dead Sea falls 85cm each year Irrigated soils along the Jordan valley show signs of Irrigated soils along the Jordan valley show signs of

salinizationsalinization Total reused treated WW: 50MCM in the 90s, 73MCM in Total reused treated WW: 50MCM in the 90s, 73MCM in

2000 and 237 in 20202000 and 237 in 2020

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JORDAN COMPETENT AUTHORITIESJORDAN COMPETENT AUTHORITIES

Ministry of HealthMinistry of Health Water Authority of JordanWater Authority of Jordan Ministry of EnvironmentMinistry of Environment Ministry of AgricultureMinistry of Agriculture National Center of Agricultural Research and Technology National Center of Agricultural Research and Technology

TransferTransfer Ministry of IndustryMinistry of Industry Jordan Institution of Standards and MetrologyJordan Institution of Standards and Metrology

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WATER PROFILE OF PALESTINEWATER PROFILE OF PALESTINE

Population: 3,549,524 in 2002 (64% in the West Bank Population: 3,549,524 in 2002 (64% in the West Bank and 36% in Gaza Strip), 4,938,000 in 2010and 36% in Gaza Strip), 4,938,000 in 2010

critical situation of the sewerage systemcritical situation of the sewerage system large scale discharge of untreated WWlarge scale discharge of untreated WW leaking of collected WW from sewer systems and leaking of collected WW from sewer systems and

cesspitscesspits uncontrolled reuse of untreated WW by irrigation sectoruncontrolled reuse of untreated WW by irrigation sector Total annual WW production: 30MCMTotal annual WW production: 30MCM Strond need for promotion of sustainable practices for Strond need for promotion of sustainable practices for

the protection of environment and public health the protection of environment and public health

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COMPETENT AUTHORITIES OF PALESTINECOMPETENT AUTHORITIES OF PALESTINE

Palestinian Water AuthorityPalestinian Water Authority Ministry of PlanningMinistry of Planning Environmental Quality AuthorityEnvironmental Quality Authority Ministry of AgricultureMinistry of Agriculture Ministry of Local GovernmentMinistry of Local Government The Municipalities and the Village CouncilsThe Municipalities and the Village Councils Ministry of HealthMinistry of Health Coastal Municipal Water UtilityCoastal Municipal Water Utility

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Treated Urban Wastewater Treated Urban Wastewater Produced and ReusedProduced and Reused

CountryCountry Treated WW Treated WW producedproduced

MCM/yrMCM/yr

WW reusedWW reused

MCM/yrMCM/yr

Treated WW Treated WW reused/reused/

Treated WW Treated WW producedproduced

CyprusCyprus 2020 55 0.250.25

JordanJordan 7373 7373 11

PalestinePalestine 3030 5.445.44 0.180.18

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PLANS AND POLICIES IN CYPRUSPLANS AND POLICIES IN CYPRUS

Not a Drop of Water to the SeaNot a Drop of Water to the Sea Construction of seawater desalination plantsConstruction of seawater desalination plants Change of the cropping pattern to less Change of the cropping pattern to less

demanding cropsdemanding crops Efficient use of available water including the Efficient use of available water including the

better use of pricing and water conservation better use of pricing and water conservation measures and the preservation of the water measures and the preservation of the water qualityquality

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Cyprus guidelines for domestic treated Cyprus guidelines for domestic treated effluent use for irrigationeffluent use for irrigation

Irrigation of BODmg/L

SS mg/L Faecal coli-forms/100ml

Infestinalworms/L

All crops (a) (A) 10* 10* 5*15**

Nil

Amenity areas ofunlimited access and vegetables eaten cooked (b)

(A) 10*15**

10*15**

50*100**

Nil

Crops for human consumption. Amenity areas oflimited access.

(A) 20*30*

30*45**

200*1000*

Nil

(B) 200*1000*

Nil

Fodder crops (A) 20*30**

30*45**

1000*5000**

Nil

(B) 5000* NilIndustrial crops (A) 50*

70**3000*

10000**Nil

(B) 3000*10000**

A Mechanised methods of treatment (activated sludge e.t.c.)B Stabilization ponds* These values must not be exceeded in 80% of samples per month (Min. number of samples = 5).** Maximum value allowed(a) Irrigation of leafy vegetables, bulbs and corms eaten uncooked is not allowed(b) Potatoes, beetroots, colocasia.Note: No substances accumulating in the edible parts of crops and proved to be toxic to humans or animals are

allowed in effluent.

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PLANS AND POLICIES IN CYPRUSPLANS AND POLICIES IN CYPRUS The new water policy should include the following The new water policy should include the following

specific measures:specific measures:

– Secure additional sources of supplySecure additional sources of supply

– Ensure efficient use of available waterEnsure efficient use of available water

– Modify the current irrigation water allocation matrixModify the current irrigation water allocation matrix

– Build up strategic water reservesBuild up strategic water reserves

– Maintain and enhance the quality of the waterMaintain and enhance the quality of the water

– Introduce new effective/efficient management Introduce new effective/efficient management procedures through the establishment of a Water procedures through the establishment of a Water EntityEntity

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PLANS AND POLICIES IN JORDANPLANS AND POLICIES IN JORDAN Support the farmers to improve on-farm water management, Support the farmers to improve on-farm water management,

especially to deal with water quality issues. especially to deal with water quality issues. Enhance management of information and make it available Enhance management of information and make it available

to farmers. Regular monitoring and reporting of soil and to farmers. Regular monitoring and reporting of soil and crop health needs to be introducedcrop health needs to be introduced

Control secondary faecal contamination sources in the basinControl secondary faecal contamination sources in the basin Enhance the Jordanian standards and guidelines for water Enhance the Jordanian standards and guidelines for water

reusereuse Control hazardous discharges to sewers and wadis more Control hazardous discharges to sewers and wadis more

vigorouslyvigorously

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PLANS AND POLICIES IN PALESTINEPLANS AND POLICIES IN PALESTINE

The highest priority in the Environmental Strategy Plan is The highest priority in the Environmental Strategy Plan is given to setting up an effective WW management system. given to setting up an effective WW management system. This includes:This includes:

Maximization of WW collection Maximization of WW collection Upgrading the existing WW collection systemsUpgrading the existing WW collection systems Rehabilitation or upgrading of existing WW treatment plants Rehabilitation or upgrading of existing WW treatment plants

or the construction of new treatment plantsor the construction of new treatment plants Establishment of proper standards for influent and effluent Establishment of proper standards for influent and effluent

WW qualityWW quality Establishment of a system in which the cost of investment Establishment of a system in which the cost of investment

and operation of the WW management systems are recovered.and operation of the WW management systems are recovered.

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Standards for WW reuse for restricted Standards for WW reuse for restricted irrigationirrigation

Parameter UnitMax.Value

Parameter UnitMax.Value

Temperature ºC 25 Ammonium (NH4) mg/ L ---pH pH

units6 - 9 Mercury mg/ L 0,001

Colour Absence

Lead mg/ L 1

BOD5 mg O2/ L 45 Cadmium mg/ L 0,02COD mg/ L 150 Arsenic mg/ L 0,02Dissolved Oxygen mg/ L > 0.5 Total Chromium mg/ L 0,5Dry residues at 150ºC mg/ L 1800 Copper mg/ L 0.2Suspended solids mg/ L 40 Nickel mg/ L 0,2Turbidity NTU 50 Iron mg/ L 5.0Sulphates mg/ L 1 Manganese mg/ L 0.2Oil & grease mg/ L 5 Zinc mg/ L 2Petroleumhydrocarbons

mg/ L 0,5 Silver mg/ L 0,1

Phosphates (PO4) mg/ L 30 Barium mg/ L 2Nitrates (NO3) mg/ L 50 Cobalt mg/ L 1Phenols mg/ L 0.002 Total pesticides mg/ L 0,2Fluorides mg/ L 1,5 Cyanides mg/ L 0,05Boron mg/L 0.7 Pathogens AbsentAluminium mg/ L 5 Total coliforms colony/

100 ml1000

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CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS WW is used alone or mixed with fresh water, mostly on forage WW is used alone or mixed with fresh water, mostly on forage

and cereals, but also on fruit trees and even vegetables. Concern and cereals, but also on fruit trees and even vegetables. Concern for human health and the environment are the most important for human health and the environment are the most important constraints in the WW reuseconstraints in the WW reuse. .

In several cases WW is not properly treated. In several cases WW is not properly treated. Many alternative solutions have been developed with the Many alternative solutions have been developed with the

scientific and technological progress. However, the selection of scientific and technological progress. However, the selection of the appropriate treatment technique, tailored to the needs of each the appropriate treatment technique, tailored to the needs of each community, means the involvement of specialists. community, means the involvement of specialists.

The outflow of the WW treatment systems does not always have a The outflow of the WW treatment systems does not always have a standard quality. standard quality.

A serious problem that can create significant obstacles in the safe A serious problem that can create significant obstacles in the safe reuse of the treated WW in agriculture is the lack of information reuse of the treated WW in agriculture is the lack of information toto all the involved actors. all the involved actors.

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CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

The first step towards the improvement of lack of water is the The first step towards the improvement of lack of water is the recognition that water is a limited resource. The governments recognition that water is a limited resource. The governments must plan and promote projects that involve non-conventional must plan and promote projects that involve non-conventional water resources. There is certain concern among population about water resources. There is certain concern among population about safety and quality of treated water. To achieve public acceptance, safety and quality of treated water. To achieve public acceptance, it is necessary to inform and educate them about the goodness it is necessary to inform and educate them about the goodness and advantage of using reclaim water.and advantage of using reclaim water.

The transfer of knowledge, experience and know-how in the Med The transfer of knowledge, experience and know-how in the Med countries will be mostly valuable. More work has to be carried countries will be mostly valuable. More work has to be carried out. Effective technologies and safe practices must be promoted out. Effective technologies and safe practices must be promoted and education and awareness campaigns must be launched. and education and awareness campaigns must be launched.

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Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention