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.