Utilization of domestic wastewater for irrigation in Dodoma and Morogoro Regions, Tanzania
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Date
2012
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study was undertaken to investigate the extent of domestic wastewater utilization for
irrigation in Dodoma and Morogoro regions. Cross-sectional study was conducted from
June, 2008 to February, 2009 in urban and pcr-urban areas using structured questionnaires
from a sample of 200 respondents. I Icavy metal contents in wastewater, sediments and
tomatoes were analysed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The study showed
that the major sources of wastewater generation were residential, commercial and
institutional areas. Wastewaters generated from various sources were treated by Waste
Stabilization Ponds (WSPs) system that uses natural factors. The study found that 90% of
the 112 households using wastewater and 85% of the 88 households not using the resource
indicated effluents from WSPs as main and reliable source of water for irrigation. Informal
flood irrigation was practiced by farmers using wastewater however without wearing
protective devices. Wastewater utilization in agriculture was accepted by 97.3% of
farmers using wastewater and 64.8% of farmers not using it and the difference was
significant (p<0.01). The main crops cultivated using treated wastewater included maize,
rice and vegetables. Important factors that influenced utilization of wastewater in
agriculture included awareness of the benefits of using wastewater, average income
accrued from agricultural activities, paddy production per acre, distance to main water
source, location of fanners and minimal use of fertilizer in the field. Wastewater
utilization improves livelihoods of farmers and food security and serves as a source of
employment, 'fhc concentrations of heavy metals in tomatoes irrigated with wastewater
after the maturation pond were lower than the recommended values by the World Health
Organisation (WHO, 2008) that demonstrated no health risks to consumers. Based on the
findings from this study it is recommended that Urban Water and Sewerage Authorities
should improve service delivery on water and sewerage and encourage people to subscribe to sewerage services; wastewater use in agriculture be included in the district plans; the
country should develop guidelines, policies and practices for safer wastewater use; and
research on microbial analysis and on organic pollutants be conducted to establish
evidence of health effects associated with the use of wastewater in agriculture.
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Thesis
Keywords
Domestic wastewater utilization, Irrigation, Cross-sectional, Atomic absorption spectrophotometer