From Waste to Resource : Advances in Wastewater Treatment for Agricultural Reuse

The burgeoning population of India is projected to surpass 1.5 billion by the year 2050. The growing pace of urbanization and industrialization, is expected to significantly increase water demand and wastewater generation. Currently, domestic and industrial use account for 15% of water reserves of India, by 2050 this percentage is expected to increase to 30%. Treated wastewater has gained significant importance as a resource for peri urban agriculture. However untreated wastewater poses serious environmental and health risks due to the presence of toxic metals, micro contaminants and pathogens. To address these challenges advanced wastewater treatment technologies are crucial. Conventional methods include sequential wastewater treatment stages that can remove solids, organic matter and other pollutants, improving the water quality for safe agricultural reuse. Advanced treatment technologies can target specific contaminants like xenobiotics and persistent organic pollutants. These tailored and innovative strategies are crucial for optimizing treatment efficiency. The review examines latest developments in wastewater treatment for agricultural use, highlighting their role in improving agricultural resilience and livelihoods of millions of Indian farmers.