Editorial: Wastewater Use for Urban Agriculture

Stephanie Buechler, Wilfrid Hertog and René van Veenhuizen

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

Increasing volumes of domestic, hospital and industrial wastewater are being produced in rapidly growing cities around the world. Wastewater treatment is costly and even in those cities that are able to procure funding to build treatment plants, only a small percentage of the total wastewater volume is treated and the rest is left to flow into natural water bodies. Most of the water only receives primary treatment. Many treatment plants in cities in the South go into disuse after a short period of time due to insufficient funds for operation and maintenance.

Attachment	Size
Editorial.pdf	275.4 KB

The Hyderabad Declaration

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

It is urged to: Safeguard and strengthen livelihoods and food security, mitigate health and environmental risks and conserve water resources by confronting the realities of wastewater use in agriculture, through the adoption of appropriate policies and the commitment of financial resources for policy implementation.

Attachment	Size
The Hyderabad Declaration.pdf	139.17 KB

The Ouagadougou Workshop

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

This five-day event took place from 3-7 June 2002, and was organised by ETC-RUAF together with CREPA headquarters in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, financed by CTA Netherlands. It consisted of a combination of paper presentations, working group discussions and site visits.

Attachment	Size
The Ouagadougou Workshop.pdf	148.99 KB

Electronic Conference on Agricultural Use of Untreated Urban Wastewater in Low Income Countries

Judith Kaspersma

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

From 24 June to 5 July 2002, IWMI and ETC-RUAF organised an electronic conference on strategies that may be applied to reduce the health risks associated with the use of untreated, partially treated or diluted wastewater in agriculture, whilst maintaining or enhancing the social and economic benefits for the poor urban citizens involved in irrigated production.

Attachment	Size
Use of Urban Wastewater in Low Income Countries.pdf	209.89 KB

Balancing Health and Livelihoods

Pay Drechsel, Ursula J. Blumenthal and Bernard Keraita

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

To protect farmers' and consumers' health, the World Health Organization (WHO) published guidelines for the safe use of wastewater in agriculture (WHO, 1989); they are currently under revision. The purpose of the 1989 guidelines was to guide design engineers and planners in the choice of wastewater treatment technologies and water management options. The application of the guidelines, however, has been found to be difficult in many field situations. It was suggested that the WHO guidelines need adjustment for better application in wastewater exposed urban and peri-urban agriculture in resource-poor countries. A model/flow diagram of a new process for deciding on locally appropriate health protection measures is suggested here.

Attachment	Size
Balancing Health and Livelihoods.pdf	204.09 KB

Sources and Quality of Water Used in Urban Vegetable Production in Tamale Municipality, Ghana

S. Abdul-Ghaniyu, G. Kranjac-Berisavljevic, I.B. Yakubu and B. Keraita

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

The municipality of Tamale is the most urbanised district in the entire northern part of Ghana. Approximately, one third of the population in Tamale is served with potable water, while the rest depends on dams and dugouts that retain runoff from the previous rainy season. This situation makes vegetable gardeners use almost any water that they can lay their hands on, regardless of its source and especially during the dry season.

Attachment	Size
Sources and Quality - Tamale, Ghana.pdf	176.96 KB

Wastewater Use in Informal Irrigation in Urban and Periurban Areas of Kumasi, Ghana

B. Keraita, P. Drechsel, F. Huibers and L. Raschid-Sally

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

This paper presents findings from studies done in the urban and periurban areas of Kumasi, Ghana. Different methods and methodologies were used which included more than 500 interviews mostly with farmers, personal observations, water-quality monitoring and literature reviews. Water from domestic use is the main source of wastewater in Kumasi. Less than 8% of the population has access to sewerage systems connected to treatment plants. Moreover, the existing treatment plants are mostly non-operational. Consequently, most wastewater is discharged into drains and nearby streams, which are used for irrigation despite high levels of faecal coliforms of up to 1010/100 ml. Until now, related health risks for farmers and consumers are only addressed through rudimentary institutional and policy frameworks with relevant by-laws rarely being enforced and still inappropriate in the larger livelihoods context.

Attachment	Size
Wastewater Use in Informal Irrigation.pdf	264.89 KB

Livelihoods and Wastewater Irrigated Agriculture along the Musi River in Hyderabad City, Andhra Pradesh, India

Stephanie Buechler and Gayathri Devi

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

The study presented here on urban agriculture is part of a broader research project on livelihood activities of smallholder and landless households who practice agriculture in urban, periurban and rural areas along the Musi river in Andhra Pradesh state, India. Wastewater is a major source of livelihood for households practicing agriculture along this river in the urban areas of Hyderabad city. The study reveals that in addition to the farmers, a chain of other economic beneficiaries both direct and indirect, of urban agriculture exist. Gender, age, caste and class determine what types of wastewater-dependent activities they are involved in. Due to certain State laws, urban agriculture is not a secure source of income for these families. There is an urgent need for the local government to recognize the importance of wastewater and support urban agriculture. This will not only secure the livelihoods of these households but also help maintain the micro environment of the city.

Attachment	Size
Livelihoods and Wastewater Irrigated Agriculture.pdf	261.53 KB

Integrated Systems for the Treatment and Recycling of Wastewater in Latin America: Reality and Potential

Julio Moscoso Cavallini and Luis Egocheaga Young

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

In Latin America, a limited amount of separate collectors for domestic wastewater, rainwater and industrial sewage exists. Mixed collection systems result in an increased amount of sewage to be treated and adequately disposed. Supported by IDRC and WHO, CEPIS is carrying out a research programme on integrated systems for the treatment and recycling of wastewater in Latin America. The aim is to provide cost-efficient solutions for managing domestic wastewater in agricultural activities within cities. Findings are presented here.

Attachment	Size
Reality and Potential.pdf	192.22 KB

Wastewater Treatment and Reuse for Food and Water Security

Naser I. Faruqui

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

In the Middle Eastern and North African countries under MENA, water is the key development issue. This situation is compounded by the high urbanisation rate in MENA. It is expected that water will increasingly be taken out of agriculture and put into urban areas. This means that the region will increasingly suffer from twin and related problems of food and water insecurity. ). How can these seemingly contradictory objectives be reconciled? The answer is water-demand management; more efficient water use within all sectors.

Attachment	Size
Wastewater Treatment and Reuse for Food and Water Security.pdf	264.49 KB

Perceptions of Ouagadougou Market Gardeners on Water, Hygiene and Disease

Boureima Ouedraogo

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

Urban farming - particularly in the form of market gardening (1) - has become part of the environment in African cities. This study focuses on the issue of health. By reusing wastewater and/or polluted water, urban market gardening constitutes a potential health risk for both producers and consumers. The issue here is to know whether market gardeners perceive the use of wastewater as risky, particularly with respect to health.

Attachment	Size
Perceptions of Ouagadougou Market Gardeners.pdf	194.94 KB

Economic and Institutional Issues of Wastewater Use in Faisalabad, Pakistan

Nazim Ali

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

This study was conducted in Faisalabad, the third most populated city of Pakistan. This paper gives the results of a survey conducted within the municipal boundaries of Faisalabad City. The unavailability and unreliability of canal water, and the bad quality of groundwater are the main reasons for using wastewater in the city, like for agricultural use. There is a need to define a proper policy framework for the use of wastewater for urban agriculture in a productive and non-hazardous way, for which suggestions are made here.

Attachment	Size
Economic and Institutional Issues.pdf	268.85 KB

Integrated Resource Recovery Project in Kolkata, India

Sumita Gupta

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) has one of the largest recycling zones in India with age-old practices of fish culture and vegetable production. A large number of sewage-wastewater-fed fisheries have been developed on the wetlands in lagoon types of ponds in which fish are cultivated, and where sunlight, water hyacinths and phytoplankton are used to clean the water. Treatment methods are discussed here.

Attachment	Size
Integrated Resource Recovery Project.pdf	223 KB

Crop Selection and Wastewater Irrigation: Hubli-Dharwad, India

Andrew Bradford, Robert Brook and C.S. Hunshal

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

The twin city of Hubli-Dharwad generates approximately 60 million litres of wastewater per day, discharged untreated from the open city drains. This article addresses the Urban Agroforestry cropping system, as out of the three systems, agroforestry has the potential of reducing the high risks that are associated with wastewater irrigation.

Attachment	Size
Crop Selection and Wastewater Irrigation.pdf	194.02 KB

The Impact of a Treatment Plant on Wastewater Irrigation in Mexico

Paula Silva-Ochoa and Christopher A. Scott

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

In 1999, field research was carried out by IWMI to explore the advantages and risks of urban wastewater reuse for crop production in the water-short Guanajuato river basin in west-central Mexico. The benefits from wastewater irrigation include the additional water value, a nutrient value and a reduced cost of water treatment. In 2002, a Water Treatment Plant was started by SIMAPAG, the local water supply and sanitation utility. Research started on the question: Does the water-treatment plant have any influence on the previously mentioned benefits from wastewater reuse for crop production? It was found that the water treatment project was predominantly oriented to comply with a particular environmental regulation while little attention was paid to the use of the wastewater for irrigation. The situation will lead to water competition between industry and the farmers.

Attachment	Size
The Impact of a Treatment Plant.pdf	203.21 KB

Reuse of Untreated Wastewater in Market Gardens in Dakar, Senegal

Seydou Niang, A. Diop, Naser Faruqui, Mark Redwood and Malick Gaye

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

Within Dakar, the most important section of the Niayes in terms of food production is the Niayes de Pikine. In this large area inside the city limits, horticulture is prevalent. This article discusses the farmers and institutions involved after which it gives recommendations and policy suggestions. At least in the short term, a much greater obstacle to urban agriculture in Dakar, regardless of the type of irrigation practised, is the insecurity of land tenure.

Attachment	Size
Reuse of Untreated Wastewater in Market Gardens.pdf	190.66 KB

Prevention Today, Solutions Tomorrow: The case of Lima, Peru

Juan Carlos Calizaya

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

This article urges for a sanitation alternative that contributes to improving the urban environment, to ration the use of potable water, and to promote recycling of used water for productive activities such as urban agriculture.

Attachment	Size
Prevention Today, Solutions Tomorrow.pdf	228.4 KB

Ecological Sanitation and Urban Agriculture

Francisco Arroyo Galván Duque

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

Local treatment and recycling of sewage (soapy "grey" water) and the reduction or even non-generation of wastewater are viable options that should be considered and supported within a municipal policy of sanitation and sewerage systems, that also takes urban agriculture into consideration. In Mexico, several experiences have been recorded which are referred to here.

Attachment	Size
Ecological Sanitation and UA.pdf	157.72 KB

Wastewater Non-Management in Aba City, Nigeria

Stella Ngozi Odurukwe

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

Poor wastewater management in Aba city, located in eastern Nigeria, causes severe pollution of the Aba River, which serves as the main source of irrigation for dry-season crop production in the urban and periurban areas of the city. The reasons for the persistence of this phenomenon have been highlighted and they include, among others: undeveloped legislation, the lack of proper planning of industries, and the absence of registration of industries with the Environmental Health Sanitation Authority of the council. This paper recommends some measures that could be taken by the council authority and NGOs to redress the situation.

Attachment	Size
Wastewater Non-Management.pdf	152.97 KB

Policy Brief: Treatment And Use Of Wastewater For Urban Agriculture

Marielle Dubbeling

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

Developing programmes for the treatment and use of wastewater for urban agriculture basically involves managing health risks and facilitating the adoption of adequate technologies at city or neighbourhood level while optimising their benefits. Adopting facilitating policies and defining the financial sustainability of wastewater treatment and use systems is necessary. A shortened version of the policy brief on the use of wastewater for urban agriculture in the Latin American Region is given here.

Attachment	Size
Policy Brief.pdf	169.49 KB

Livestock and Urban Waste in East Africa

Sabine Guendel

In: UA Magazine 8 - Wastewater Reuse in Urban Agriculture

With the objectives to understand the current situation of poor urban livestock keepers in East Africa, and to identify areas where future research could make a contribution to the development and promotion of this activity for the poor, five city case studies were selected in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. The cities were Dar es Saalam, Kampala, Kisumu, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa. Results are discussed here.

Attachment	Size
Livestock and Urban Waste in East Africa.pdf	190 KB

Colophon

Urban Agriculture Magazine
No 8, December 2002

The UA Magazine is published by the Resource Centre for Urban Agriculture (RUAF), a Programme co-ordinated by ETC Netherlands and financed by DGIS, the Netherlands, and IDRC, Canada. The UA Magazine is published 3 times a year, and is translated into French, Spanish, Chinese and Arabic, and distributed in separate editions through regional networks.

Editorial Board

• Urban Management Programme-Latin America and the Caribbean (UMP-LAC), Quito, Ecuador; Mr Alain Santandreu; e-mail alain@pgu-ecu.org: Magazine in Spanish: www: http://www.ipes.org/aguila/
• Institut Africain de Gestion Urbaine (IAGU), Dakar, Senegal, Ms Ndeye Fatou Gueye;e-mail iagurau@enda.sn : Magazine in French;
• Municipal Development Programme (MDP) - East and Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe;Mr Shingirayi Mushamba, e-mail: smushamba@mdpesa.org
• Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resource Research (IGSNRR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bejing, China; Mr Jianming Cai, e-mail: caijm@igsnrr.ac.cn ; Magazine in Chinese;
• Centre for Environment and Development in the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE), Cairo, Egypt, Mr Ismail El Bagouri; e-mail: ibagouri@cedare.org.eg  Magazine in Arabic;
• IWMI-India, Hyderabad, India, Ms Stephanie Buechler, e-mail: s.buechler@cgiar.org
• The Urban Agriculture Network (TUAN), Washington, USA. Mr Jac Smit; e-mail: urbanag@compuserve.com
• ETC - Resource Centre on Urban Agriculture and Forestry (RUAF), Leusden, the Netherlands; Mr Henk de Zeeuw: email: ruaf@etcnl.nl
• Ms Dagmar Kunze, FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF), Ghana
• Mr Luc Mougeot, International Development Research Council (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada;
• Mr Gordon Prain, CIP- Sustainable Initiative on Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture (SIUPA), Peru.

Editors No. 8

This issue has been compiled by René van Veenhuizen (responsible editor), Stephanie Buechler and Wilfrid Hertog, and the RUAF partners.

Resonsible web edition

Lucy Browne, René van Veenhuizen

Administrations

Michael Baumeister

Design and Layout

Jan Hiensch, Leusden

Language Editor

Amunda Salm, Wageningen

Subscriptions

The editor
ruaf@etcnl.nl

Address

Urban Agriculture Magazine
P.O. Box 64
3830 AB Leusden, The Netherlands
Visitors address: Kastanjelaan 5, Leusden.
Tel: +31.33.4326000
Fax: +31.33.4940791