COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS MODEL FOR TREATED WASTEWATER USE IN AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION: Four Palestinian case studies

Eyad Y. Yaqob; Rashed Al-Sa`ed; George Sorial; Makram Suidan

Volume : IV, Issue : XII, December - 2015

COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS MODEL FOR TREATED WASTEWATER USE IN AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION: Four Palestinian case studies

Eyad Y. Yaqob, Rashed Al Sa Ed, George Sorial, Makram Suidan

Abstract :

<p>Worldwide, water scarcity is becoming one of the major limiting factors of economic development and social welfare provisions. Both limited access to and shortage of water sources, affect the agricultural sector, and this is one of the main economic pillars in Palestine, considering the growing demand for food security. Beneficial uses of treated wastewater (TWW) for agricultural purposes, increase irrigated land and enhance agricultural production. This paper aims to present the cost and benefit analysis (CBA) of treated wastewater use in Palestine, focusing on four types of famous crops (fodder, palms, olive and almond trees) and at three different locations of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Results obtained, indicated that use of treated wastewater in agricultural irrigation is economically feasible within Palestinian territories. Use of one million cubic meters (MCM) of TWW in palm cultivation results in financial returns of USD$2 million. Meanwhile; irrigation of fodder, olive and almond trees achieve about USD$1 million per MCM of TWW. The use of TWW from sewage works and facilities erected in Palestinian territories is economically feasible as compared to TWW imported from Israeli wastewater treatment plants.</p>