Characterization and Risk Assessment of Wastewater for Agricultural Irrigation: A Study of Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan

Research Article

Abstract

Over the last decade, the rapid growth of population, urbanization, industrialization, increased demand for water and energy for a better quality of life, has been the talk of the town these days, which illustrates the future of wastewater in developing countries. The sudden growth in population and the mismanagement of water put stress on the supply of water, resulting in the reuse of untreated wastewater for agriculture. This will affect other life activities, posing a significant risk to global food security. The wastewater itself contain the nutrient which can be used by the plant for their growth but it also contain the chemicals and heavy metals which pose a greater negative impact on environment and human health. The food irrigated by the wastewater is consumed by human, and then it becomes a part of the food chain and causes health issues. Present research is carried out for the characterization and risk assessment of wastewater at different locations of Jhelum district, Punjab, Pakistan. Different parameters were analyzed which show that majority of samples have a concentration of pH from (7.96-8.74), temperature (31-38°C), which is under acceptable limit by the national environment quality standard of Ph (6.5-10) and temp (40°C) respectively, Sodium (139.75-172.50mgL-1), and heavy metals such as iron (0.273-0.473 mgL-1), manganese (0.048-1.35 mgL-1) within standard limits. However, due to the contamination and leakage of the sewage system and mixing of different solvents in water, resulting in an increase in the concentration of residual sodium carbonate, heavy metals such as lead, and total dissolved solids, more than the accepted limits of the national environmental quality standard. Due to the contamination of water the prevalence risk of waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and diarrhea increases. Regular monitoring of the quality of water using physicochemical parameters will provide a better quality of public health and the environment.