Behaviour of the fecal pollution indicators in a soil irrigated with treated wastewater under onsurface and subsurface drip irrigation

A critical objective for any wastewater reuse programme is to minimise health and environmental hazard. When applying wastewater to soil-plant systems, it is to be noted that the passage of water through the soil considerably reduces the number of microorganisms carried by the reclaimed wastewater. Factors that affect survival include number and type of microorganisms, soil organic matter content, temperature, moisture, pH, rainfall, sunlight, protection provided by foliage and antagonism by soil microflora. The purpose of this work was to examine the behaviour of fecal pollution indicators in a soil irrigated with treated wastewater under onsurface and subsurface drip irrigation. The experiment was conducted in a vineyard located at a commercial farm near the City of Arad (Israel). Wastewater and soil samples were monitored during the irrigation period and examined for fecal coliforms, somatic and F+ coliphages and helminth eggs. Physico-chemical parameters were controlled in order to determine their relationship with removal of microorganisms. The results showed high reduction of the concentration of microorganisms when wastewater moves through the soil; and a good correlation between the reduction of fecal pollution indicators and moisture content, organic matter concentration and pH. The application of secondary treated domestic wastewater in this specific soil and under these irrigation systems affect the survival of microorganisms, thus reducing the health and environmental risk.