UNU-INWEH Study Identifies Gaps in Wastewater Data, Treatment and Reuse

A study by the UN University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) finds a lack of data on wastewater generation, treatment and use around the world. The study, titled 'Global, regional and country level need for data on wastewater generation, treatment and use,' predicts wastewater use will increase worldwide in response to growing water scarcity and provides recommendations for ensuring safe wastewater management.

According to Manzoor Qadir, UNU-INWEH, the report highlights "the need to invest the time and resources to fill the global data gap." The study indicates that nearly one-third of countries lack data on wastewater generation, treatment and reuse. Out of 181 countries studied, 60 have data on one or two aspects, and 57 do not collect data on any aspects.

Among countries that collect wastewater data, 63% of the data is over five years old. Qadir said better data will enable researchers and policymakers to better understand and craft solutions to wastewater management.

Wastewater is a “vast resource if we reclaim it properly, which includes the separation of municipal from industrial wastewater,” according to Zafar Aadeel, UNU-INWEH Director. However, the study shows the percentage of wastewater treatment decreases by average country income. Only 8% of low-income countries treat their wastewater compared to 70% of high-income countries, 38% of upper-middle-income countries and 28% of lower-middle income countries.

The study predicts increased wastewater demand for irrigation, particularly as competition for freshwater increases and rural-urban migration persists. It cautions that developing countries lack adequate treatment facilities and institutions to ensure the safe distribution and management of wastewater. The study therefore recommends, inter alia: enhancing professional capacity to develop technical solutions and address agriculture use of wastewater; and identifying ways to protect farmers and consumers from potentially harmful chemicals and pathogens in wastewater.

UNU-INWEH collaborated with Tottori University, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Hazara University, Pakistan, on the study. The journal Agricultural Water Management published the study.

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Middle East and North AfricaThe estimated volume of wastewater generated in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regionis 22.3 cubic kilometers per year, of which 51% (11.4 cubic kilometers per year) is treated. Withthe exception of Algeria and Iraq, complete information on wastewater generation, treatment, anduse is available from all countries in the region.Treated wastewater use is essential in the water scarce MENA region. Currently, 51% of treatedwastewater is used for irrigation. Some countries in the region are planning to increase the use oftreated wastewater. For example, Saudi Arabia intends to increase wastewater use to 65% by2016 (USEPA, 2012). Israel already uses 70% of the wastewater generated in the domestic sector.Highincomecountries in the region use treated wastewater for agricultural and landscapeirrigation. In Kuwait, only vegetables that are eaten after cooking (potatoes and cauliflower),industrial crops, forage crops (alfalfa and barely), and highway landscapes may be irrigated withtreated wastewater in Kuwait.Wastewater use represents about 10% of the Israeli national water supply and almost 20% of thewater supply for irrigation