Microbiological assessment of food crops irrigated with domestic greywater

Abstract

Two of the challenges facing Africa in the 21 stcentury are effective use of restricted water resources and ensuring food security. The eThekwini Municipality is not exempt from these challenges and is investigating ways in which they can be addressed in the local context. One of the aims of national government has been to ensure the supply of clean drinking water and suitable sanitation to every household. As part of its efforts in this regard, eThekwini Municipality has introduced a multi-tiered water supply programme ranging from full-pressure water systems and flush toilets to stand pipes and dry toilets. In the dry sanitation systems, there is no real provision for the disposal of domestic greywater and, bearing in mind that South Africa is a water scarce country, the municipality is investigating ways of using this water as a resource rather than viewing it as a waste. A preliminary trial was set up in 2003 using this water to irrigate vegetables to be used for home consumption.

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