Hi all. The calculated ...

Hi all. The calculated treatment cost of all the wastewater in Inidia will be astronomical and is difficult to foresee affordable in coming 20 years. As we have several pressing issues. By the time, our resources needs to be protected. I see periurban agriculture as a treatment options where farmers' livelihood opportunity is a bonus. I personally, not much worried about pathogenic contamination (althogh very important, as Dr Frans mentioned) which can be controlled at post harvest handling or even at household level. But, heavy metals at higher than permisible limits in edible food bothers me more. That does not mean, urban wastewater irrigation has negative impact on soil, crop under all conditions. At least my experimental results in high rainfall area did not show. My view is, a holistic approach is needed, where wastewater (treated, untreatred)needs to be reused near the point of generation (polluters' responsibility) in suitable niches inside urban territory (roadside gardens, parks, public toilets, entertainment etc) and then for irrigation in periurban areas. At least, the volume of untreated wastewater discharge to surface waters is reduced