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Integrated Approach to Wastewater Use in Agriculture: a Pilot Study in Rajshahi City Corporation Area

A. Chowdhury
Department of Civil Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi-6204,Bangladesh

M. Z. Alam
Department of Civil Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi-6204,Bangladesh

A. A. Masum
Department of Civil Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Rajshahi-6204,Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Demand for water is increasing in the world parallel to increase in population and industrialization. In many developing countries, wastewater is the only source of water for irrigation during dry periods. Besides, wastewater is high in nutrient content which reduces the use of chemical fertilizers for crop cultivation. After a certain period, it will be unable to irrigate with ground water because of its limited quantities and contamination. To overcome this difficulties waste water may be a suitable source to meet the irrigation demand if properly managed and utilized in convenient way. In this study, wastewater samples were collected from four places of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) for determining water quality parameters. Analysis of these impurities were performed with strict quality control and quality assurance using the internationally accepted analytical chemical methods for the determination of their harmful effects on crops and found that most of the parameters exceed the permissible limits. The major problem in using wastewater in agriculture in the project area is the high level of faecal contamination. Thus, efforts are geared toward finding ways of utilizing the previously unused sources of water and/or recycling wastewater.

Keywords: Biological quality, Irrigation, Rajshahi City Corporation, Waste water

Location: Rajshahi City by the Wastewater Agriculture and Sanitation for Poverty Alleviation in Asia (also known as WASPA Asia project)

Start Date: 00-01-2011

End Date: 00-12-2011

Program Area: Quality and Nutrition

Commodity: Water quality

Objectives:

1. To measure waste water parameters which is harmful for agriculture at field level and compare their test values with the standard FAO and WHO guidelines; to evaluate the potential harmful effect of waste water contaminants on crops yield and to find out the process of reducing this harmful effect for optimum crop yield.

Methodology:

Rajshahi District, which covers an area of 2407 km², of which 62 km² is river, is located in the north west of Bangladesh bordering India to the south. Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), which was formed in 1987, covers an area of approximately 48 km² being bounded on the east, north and west by Paba Thana (subdivision of a district) and on the south by the Padma River. A number of storm water drains flow from the south of Rajshahi City Corporation to the north either terminating in beels or in the Baranai River some 15 km away. An initial assessment of the city was conducted at the beginning of the study and four project locations were identified where waste water is being used in agriculture. These sites are situated along two of the city drains such as Circuit House drain and Dargapara drain. The Circuit House Drain starts in Ward 7 (from the place identified as Circuit House Road), flows through Ward 3, along the edge of Ward 6. It passes by the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, Medicine Corner, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Clinic and Women’s Complex. After that the Circuit House Drain enters Bashuar Beel, in Ward 14 and emerges at the other end of the beel before flowing through agricultural land in Ward 14, Paba Thana and Ward 17, and into Baranai River. The Dargapara Drain starts from Natore Road in Ward 9. It flows through Ward 10, Ward 14, and Ward 16, passing by Rajshahi Medical College, a women’s hostel, Sadar (Main) Hospital, the Passport Office, the Fisheries Office and the Cantonment Area, as well as some densely populated residential areas. In Ward 16, second drain joins the Dargapara Drain bringing untreated industrial effluent from the Bangladesh small and Cottage lndustry Corporation (BSCIC) area and meets at Sopura also known as BSCIC drain. In Ward 3, the BSCIC Drain and the CITY Drain meet finally flows on Basuar Beel and is continuously used for agricultural purposes. The sites selected are listed in Table 1 and depicted in the map. Analysis of sample was performed with strict quality control and quality assurance using the internationally accepted analytical chemical methods of analysis. Measurements of all of the water quality parameters were conducted at Public Health Lab in RUET.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 6(1): 167 - 171, 2013; ISSN 1999-7361

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

On the basis of test results in this study, it is concluded that the biological quality parameters in wastewater which is used in agricultural purposes are not satisfied with the FAO and WHO guidelines. The most concerning factor is that, the wastewater in the study area having high level of faecal contamination. The TDS, TSS, Na, N, P, BOD, EC and SAR value in the study area is also high. Hence, waste stabilization pond with addition of gypsum and macrophytes pond can be effectively used to reduce the harmful effect of these parameters for proper irrigation. In this way, significant water saving can be achieved and farmer incomes can be raised.

Knowledge Management: Journal