REOPTIMA - Reuse options for marginal quality water in urban and peri-urban agriculture

Inadequate wastewater treatment capacity in Indian cities is challenged by increasing volumes. The disposal of polluted water is a major problem faced by most of the municipalities, with limited space for land based treatment and disposal. At the same time, it is increasingly realised that waste water is an important resource for productive uses, if associated risks can be properly dealt with. By studying wastewater flows in a water chain approach, the project aim is to create preconditions and to define proper management for a sustainable handling and use of wastewater in agriculture, without compromising food quality and the ecological equilibrium. Important elements of the project are: 

1. The assessment of city wastewater generation for uses in targeted niches

2. The development of methodologies for wastewater application in agriculture 

3. The assessment of the impact of wastewater irrigation on soil, crop and human health 

4. The identification of appropriate wastewater treatment approaches and technologies, including indigenous, as important part of the wastewater chain

5. The development of a policy strategy that supports the REOPTMA approach of wastewater management

The aims of the project are to promote, facilitate and disseminate the various research findings on productive use of (treated) wastewater in India and Europe and to develop collaboration among Indian and European experts in this field. REOPTIMA has as its main goal to disseminate both state of the art research results as well as more traditional and indigenous technology on the use of wastewater in agriculture. This will be done through expert consultation, and the organisation of a series of workshops, with the aim to develop a roadmap for research on overall management of wastewater. REOPTIMA will consider research issues with a comprehensive approach for exploring suitable niches for treated or untreated wastewater use in the ambit of livelihoods, productivity and long-term sustainability.