Comparison of Mashhad Aolang Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent with Wells Water Quality for Irrigation

• Main Authors: Meghdad Pirsaheb, Kiomars Sharafi, Karim Dogaohar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Water and Wastewater Consulting Engineers Research Development 2012-12-01
• Series: آب و فاضلاب
• Subjects: Wastewater Effluent; Well Water; Irrigation; Aolang Treatment Plant; Mashhad
• Online Access: http://www.wwjournal.ir/article_2471_2b20f6928f891a2b2fca7b3764fb2a2f.pdf

Nowadays treated effluent reuse is very important due to the water shortage problem. The aim of this study was comparison the quality of Mashhad Aolang treatment effluent plant with wells water on that area for irrigation purpose and their effects on wheat production. In this study a total number of 24 well water and 24 treated Wastewater samples were taken, weekly within the period of six months. Totally  eight wheat farms were selected at the end of wheat growing season which  four wheat farms among them were irrigated with treated wastewater and the other  four farms were irrigated with wells water. Heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn and Co) and pH, EC, BOD5, COD, TSS, nitrate, nitrite, PO42-, alkalinity, Na%, RSC, ESP, SAR in all samples were measured according to standard methods. Results indicated that the quality of all measured parameters in treated effluent were consistent with the agricultural irrigation standard. In comparison, irrigated with treated wastewater was more productive than well water on wheat production. In conclusion, replacing treated wastewater with continuous monitoring with well water for irrigation purposes is recommended.