Sewage effluent : a partial solution to Riyadh's water problem

Abstract

A detailed study of the Riyadh sewage treatment plant was conducted to primarily evaluate and assess the use of the reclaimed sewage effluent in agriculture, recreation, industry, municipal and domestic use, and groundwater recharge. In light of this study, it was concluded that Riyadh secondary effluent can be utilized for many agricultural, industrial, and municipal uses. However, it is recommended that tertiary land treatment should be employed to cover a higher order, and a wider range of uses such as vegetable crops, and public playgrounds and parks. Priorities to the use of the effluent should be given to the creation of regional parks and livestock and forage crop production, for these are the immediate necessities of the city of Riyadh.