Public perceptions and knowledge towards wastewater reuse in agriculture in Deir Debwan

Abstract

The Occupied Palestinian Territory is facing a rapid population growth with limited water resources. The continuous demand for water forces Palestinians to look for alternative water recourses. Wastewater reuse in agriculture is one of the strategic alternatives. A cross sectional survey took place in one of Ramallah villages to investigate people’s perception toward wastewater reuse in agriculture in 2007. Over all, participants had good knowledge about the general water crisis, 93 % were aware of the water crisis in Palestine, and 90 % were aware of water crisis in their village. Interestingly, 73 % knew that there are negative impacts from using untreated wastewater in irrigation and 24% knew that there are negative impacts from using treated wastewater. Further, only 40 % knew that there are special standards for wastewater reuse and 42 % did not know if there should be special standards for wastewater reuse. It was obvious that participants are willing to use treated wastewater (87 %) and products irrigated with it (85 %). However, the situation was opposite concerning untreated wastewater with only 6 % are willing to use it and 10 % are willing to use products irrigated with it. Health was the main reason followed by environmental and economical reasons for not accepting the reuse of wastewater