Safe Reuse of Treated Wastewater for Agriculture

Constructed wetland in Kothapally Telangana, India

INTERVENTION

• A 60 m X 3 m X 1 m constructed wetland established to treat wastewater from 125 household, approximate flow of 25 m³/day.

Constructed wetland at Kothapally village in India. Treated household wastewater used to irrigate one hectare farm land.

IMPACTS

• 65 % removal efficiency for chemical oxygen demand, 60 % for sulfate and 67 % for inorganic nitrogen ².
• 87% removal efficiency for pathogens measured in terms of Escherichia Coli³.
• Fodder crops and flowers such as Marigold can be grown using treated wastewater.

Biomass generated from constructed wetlands used for biogas/compost generation:

• 100 kg organic waste processed by biogas plant.
• Up to 15 m³ of biogas production capacity per day ⁴.

The EU Water4Crops initiative brings together 14 Indian and 22 European organizations. 

Constructed wetland in Sangareddy, Telangana 

INTERVENTION

• Constructed wetlands prepared to treat the effluent coming from the effluent treatment plants of factories.
• 2,526 households with total population of 12,940 and 4,500 hectares.
• Increase agricultural productivity by adopting rainwater conservation and harvesting.
• Building capacity of farmers to develop sustainable water management practices to enhance groundwater availability.

Gradual stabilization and growth of Cana indica, SAB Miller at Sanga Reddy, Telangana .

IMPACTS

• 30 – 92 % reduction in chemical oxygen demand in wastewater ⁴.
• Dark color of industrial effluent reduced by 32% through an indigenous bacterial consortium ⁶.
• 75000 m³ groundwater recharged due to water storage capacity of more than 30000 m³
• 10% increase in moisture content for black soils and 5% for red soils.
• 52 families benefitted with increased income of USD 775 per family per annum ⁷.

Constructed wetland in Kolar, Karnataka⁸

 INTERVENTION

• Watershed spread over 1,333 hectares.
• 1,411 households in 8 villages.
• Soil and water conservation and groundwater recharge structures constructed were:
  13 farm ponds, 9000 m³ field bunding, 75 gully plugs, 2 ponds for cattle.
• One wastewater treatment unit constructed ¹⁰.

Water harvesting and groundwater recharge structures in Coca-Cola ICRISAT watershed, Kolar, Karnataka

IMPACTS

• 33,750 m³ total rainwater harvested in one year
• 2 farmers benefitted by the wastewater treatment unit to grow vegetables and fodder on 1.2 hectares.

Farmer Gopal at his finger millet field grown with integrated water and improved practices.

Constructed wetland in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India¹⁰

INTERVENTION

• 6,852 hectares covering 10 villages.
• Soil & water conservation structures constructed: 2 check dams, 7 farm ponds, 2 percolation tanks, 18 loose boulder structures.
• 267 farmer participatory crop demonstrations with improved practices for foxtail millet, groundnut and pigeonpea.

IMPACTS

• 41,620 m³ of net water storage capacity resulting in total conservation of 60,000 m³ of surface run-off water.
• One wastewater treatment unit connected to 40 households, approximate flow of 51 m³/day.
• 10 farmers benefitted.

Wastewater treatment unit in M Pendekal, Kurnool, Power Grid Corporation of India