Principles of disinfecting domestic wastewater for irrigation

ABSTRACT: In order to remove pathogens from wastewater to be used in agriculture, World Health Organization (WHO) has published a guide book titled “ Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater excreta and gray water” in four volumes in 2006. In second volume, aiming at safe use of wastewater in agriculture, the book provides guidelines for removing pathogens. In this article a summary of these guidelines about disinfecting domestic wastewater for irrigation is provided.According to these guidelines, disinfecting degree depends on various factors such as type of crops, irrigation methods, interval between final irrigation and consumption, the way crops are consumed and human exposure to pathogens existing in wastewater that this article includes these factors.