Water strategies and potential of water reuse in the south Mediterranean countries

Water in the South Mediterranean countries of the Arab region is inherently scarce as a result of naturally arid or semi-arid conditions. The population growth and economic development in the region have increased the demand for water which is expected to be doubled in the next 25 years. The increased use of the fixed water resource in response to rising demands is not only reducing water availability, but also jeopardizing water quality. In view of the vital importance of water for sustaining life and promoting development, appropriate technological solutions are considered to augment water resources through non-conventional sources. Reuse of treated wastewater would have greater impact on future usable sources of water than any of the technological solutions available for increasing water supply. Water reuse in agriculture is justified on agronomic and economic grounds, but care must be taken to minimize adverse health and environmental impacts. It will result in savings of fresh water and augmentation of water supply required for irrigation to overcome the shortage in food sufficiency. However, appropriate technologies of wastewater treatment and irrigation systems will have to be developed and tested in order to promote wide use of treated wastewater in irrigation within the Arab region.

Water reuse has a great potential in the South Mediterranean countries of the Arab region . Currently about 5% of non-conventional water resources are provided by water reuse but its contribution will be progressively increased as more attention is given to domestic and industrial wastewater treatment in the region. Water reuse in agriculture would result in considerable saving of fresh water and lead to secure water supply required for irrigation in order to overcome the shortage in food sufficiency in the region. Water reuse is a cost effective alternative in the development of the water resources since it could be provided at less than half of the cost of producing the desalinated water. However, appropriate technologies of wastewater treatment and irrigation systems must be developed and implemented in order to promote wide use of treated wastewater in irrigation in the Arab region.