Abstract
Water is a scarce commodity in Kuwait. With rapid growth of population coupled with increasing urbanization and agriculture, the demand for water in Kuwait is continually on the increase. The main water source in the country is from desalination with small quantities from underground aquifers. Wastewater effluent at least for irrigation purposes, could be a valuable source to augment this dwindling water supply, and should not continue to be wasted. Reuse of wastewater effluent could both minimize the disposal of water to the environment and reduce the demand on fresh water supplies. This paper discusses the features of reuse, the processes used and standards adopted. Design data, operational results, and physical characteristics for the three wastewater treatment plants (Ardiya, Jahra, and Riqqa) in Kuwait are discussed. In addition, the paper reports on the results of a research study undertaken to determine the willingness, level of awareness and knowledge among the people of Kuwait in using wastewater effluent for different purposes. Cost and benefit analyses were conducted on wastewater effluent and reuse. The study concludes with useful recommendations to both the authorities and the citizens of Kuwait.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adin, A. and Asano, T.: 1998, 'The Role of Physical-Chemical Treatment in Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse,' Water Science and Technology 37(10), 79-90.
Adin, A. and Sacks, M.: 1991, 'Dripper Clogging Factors inWastewater Irrigation,' Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers 117(6), 813-826.
Al-A'ama', M.S. and Nakhla, G.F.: 1995, 'Wastewater Reuse in Jubail, Saudi Arabia,' Water Research 29(6), 1579-1584.
Ali, I.: 1987, 'Wastewater Criteria for Irrigation in Arid Regions,' Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers 113(2), 173-183.
Al-Kuwait Today: 2001, 'Environmental Requirements and Standards in Kuwait,' Al-Kuwait Today 533, 319-322.
Al-Sofi, M.A.: 1994, 'Water Scarcity-The Challenge of the Future,' Desalination 98: 425-435.
Al-Zubari, W.K.: 1998, 'Towards the Establishment of a Total Water Cycle Management and Re-use Program in the GCC Countries,' Desalination 120, 3-14.
Asano, T.: 2000, 'Reclaimed Wastewater as a Water Resource,' in Proceedings of the Workshop on Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse, Kuwait, pp. 1-20.
Asano, T., Maeda, M. and Takaki, M.: 1996, 'Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse in Japan: Overview and Implementation Examples,' Water Science and Technology 34(11), 219-226.
Constantina, S. and Yanko, W.A.: 1994, 'Evaluation of Composted Sewage Sludge Based Soil Amendments for Potential Risks of Salmonellosis,' Journal Environment Health 56(7), 19-38.
Desbrow, C., Routledge, E.J., Brighty, G.C., Sumpter, J.P. and Waldock, M.: 1998, 'Identification of Estrogenic Chemicals in STW Effluent, Chemical Fractionation and in Vitro Biological Screening,' Environmental Science and Technology 32(11), 1549-1558.
De Serres, G.: 1995, 'Need for Vaccination of Sewer Workers Against Leptospirosis and Hepatitis A,' Occupation Environmental Medicine 52, 505-523.
Feachem, R.G., Bradleg, D.J., Garslick, H. and Mara, D.D.: 1983, Sanitation and Diseases-Health Aspects of Excreta and Wastewater Management, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK.
Friis, L., Engstrad, L. and Edling, C.: 1996, 'Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection Among Wastewater Workers. Scand.,' Journal of Work Environmental Health 22, 364-371.
Granato, T.C.: 1995, 'Mercury in Soils and Crops From Fields Receiving High Cumulative Sewage Sludge Applications: Validation of U.S. EPA's Risk Assessment for Human Ingestion,' Water, Air, Soil Pollution 80, 119-137.
Harris, J.E., Sheahan, D.A., Jobling, S., Matthiessen, P., Neall, P., Sumpter, J.P., Tylor, T. and Zaman, N.: 1997, 'Estrogenic Ac126 Alhumoud, Behbehani and Abdullah tivity in Fine United Kingdom Rivers Detected by Measurement of Vitellogenesis in Caged Male Trout,' Environmental Toxicty Chemistry 16, 534-542.
Hass, C.N. and Rose, J.B.: 1995, 'Developing an Action Level for Cryptosporidium,' Journal American Water Works Association 87(9), 81-98.
Konwalchuk, J. and Speirs, J.I.: 1975, 'Survival of Enteric Viruses on Fresh Vegetables,' Journal of Milk and Food Technology 38, 464-472.
MOP, Ministry of Planning: 2000, Annual Statistical Abstract, 36 Edition.
MPW, Ministry of Public Works: 2001, Total Cost of Wastewater Treatment, Statistical Book.
Shiuuval, H.I. and Fattal, B.: 1980, 'Wastewater Aersols and Disease,' in H. Pahren and W. Jakubawski (eds.), Report EPA-600/9-80-028, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, pp. 228-238.
State of California: 1992, Draft Revisions to the Wastewater Reclamation Criteria, State of California, Department of Health Services, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Tchobanoglous, G. and Angelakis, A.N.: 1996, 'Technologies for Wastewater Treatment Appropriate for Reuse: Potential for Applications in Greece,' Water Science and Technology 33(10-11), 15-24.
Vazquzio, Horan, N.J. and Mara, D.D.: 1996, 'Management of Domestic Wastewater for Reuse in Irrigation,' Water Science and Technology 33(10-11), 355-362.
Walpole, R.E. and Myers, R.J.: 1985, Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists, 3rd Edition, Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, USA.
WHO: 1989, 'Health Guidelines for the Use of Wastewater in Agriculture and Aquaculture,' Technical Report Series 778.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Alhumoud, J.M., Behbehani, H.S. & Abdullah, T.H. Wastewater Reuse Practices in Kuwait. The Environmentalist 23, 117–126 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024831503569
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024831503569