Impact of urban wastewater reuse for irrigation on hydro-agro-ecological systems and human health risks: A case study from Musi river basin, South India

Use of wastewater for irrigation remains a disagreement among policymakers and researchers. However, it is fact that wastewater may contains many contaminants including heavy metals that can negatively impact ecosystem health. The present study is an attempt to assess the impact of wastewater use on soil, crop, and water and associated health risks based on exposure risk model where wastewater irrigation is more prominent in Hyderabad city, South India by analyzing physical (pH, EC, turbidity, oil and grease, TSS), chemical (Zn, Cr, Pb, Mn, Cu and Ni) and biological (BOD, COD, DO) parameters. The results indicated that biological contamination and the presence of heavy metals with the rising groundwater salinity. Low to moderate cancer risks are also inferred if humans are exposed to these waters for a long time. However, the study suggests continuous monitoring of the water and soil quality in wastewater irrigated areas to take remedial actions for sustainable agriculture development and protect ecosystems.