Page 344 - Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Recycling and Reuse

316 Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Recycling, and Reuse

The use of effluents via irrigation can make a significant contribution to
the integrated management of our water resources. When the water and
nutrients in effluents are beneficially utilized through irrigation, some of
the water extracted from rivers can be replaced, and the amount of pollutants
discharged into our waterways can be reduced. The Department of Envi-
ronment and Conservation (NSW) has ensured a policy of encouraging
the beneficial use of effluents where it is safe and practicable to do so and
where it provides the best environmental outcome. This Guideline is edu-
cational and advisory in nature. It is not a mandatory or regulatory tool, and
it does not introduce new environmental requirements.
The best management practices related to the management of effluents
by irrigation, are to be used to design and operate effluent irrigation systems,
by reducing the risk on health implications and possible hazards to food
chain (Directorate of Economics and Statistics, 2010). The Guideline will
assist decision makers and industry members in achieving the best environ-
mental outcome for each site at least cost.
The Guideline is not intended to provide specific guidance on every
individual industry’s issues. On the other hand, it provides an information
base to be used for addressing issues that might arise in the range of situations,
circumstances, and industries in which effluent irrigation may be considered
or underway. Industry-specific guidelines or site-specific information may
need to be taken into account when applying the Guideline.
Approaches to effluent irrigation management other than those outlined
in this Guideline will always be considered on their merits, provided that
they demonstrate environmental sustainability and are safe from a public
health perspective (Sarma, 2006).
Extensive consultation with industry and government are made for
formulating National guidelines to reveal the reuse practice. The Guideline
reflects the idea that a sustainable effluent irrigation system will be a function
of the interactions between the site, soil, agronomic system and effluent
characteristics, and diligent operational practices. These interactions should
ensure effective management to maximize the resources available in effluents
and ensure that the environment is protected. Selecting a suitable site is
important for successfully establishing an effluent irrigation system. The
Guideline provides criteria for assessing a proposed irrigation site and dis-
cusses related issues important to the assessment of a site. The relationship
between effluent quality and soil characteristics that should also be consid-
ered when selecting a site are also outlined to ensure that soil structure is not
likely to be adversely affected and/or pollution is not likely to be caused.