Converting Waste into Wealth, Canada

With freshwater becoming increasingly scarce, scientists and communities are focusing on treating wastewater for irrigation purposes. In Moose Lake City, part of Canada's Manitoba Province, municipal sewage and effluents from the many industrial units surrounding it are being treated and used to irrigate land, and for aquaculture. Prior to this intervention, the waste water in Moose Lake threatened the survival of its marine life and had become dangerous for the communities living around it.

The main advantage of using wastewater is that the minerals it contains can be extracted as nutrients for crops and fish instead of going to waste. On the other hand, untreated wastewater is potentially dangerous because of the chemicals, metals, and radioactive substances that it may contain.

In Moose Lake City, officials charged with managing the lake set up a joint monitoring committee of academics, researchers, field experts, agriculturists, farmers, geologists, and various government departments to monitor the quality of wastewater prior to discharge. The committee then came up with the idea of using wastewater for irrigation – an unusual move for a first world country.

The idea was to reverse the lake's pollution and to use the purified water for irrigation in those areas where there was insufficient groundwater. The targeted farmers were those whose lands were lying fallow because of a water shortfall.

The suitability of this water for different types of crops, and quality and quantity of yield was tested. The results were positive: crops grown in this water were in no way inferior, nor were they detrimental to the health of consumers. Moreover, the model proved to be inexpensive because it required a very small quantity of micro-organisms for treating wastewater.

The success of this model was dependent on the proper dissemination of information and on the active involvement of various parts of the community at different stages. Cooperation among farmers, municipal authorities, the public, committee members, and various government agencies was essential.

From the start, the committee was careful to include local technical and pollution experts who assessed water quality and treated it for irrigation purposes. Government departments and the municipality – after due study and the formation of research teams – then went into action to create awareness about the safety of crops irrigated by such water.

They held demonstrations and discussions with anxious farmers and consumers in community centers. Farmers were also made aware that they would be pioneers by piloting such a model. Local residents were impressed by the readiness of their fellow community members on the technical team to consume the agricultural products grown in the wastewater.

Once the various stakeholders were won over, the system was set into motion. The irrigation area for the pilot was carefully selected.

Small plots without an irrigation source were chosen. Wastewater from two pilot secondary treatment plants – the storehouse of phosphates and other nutrients essential for a good harvest – was used to irrigate produce common to the area.

The eggplants, peppers, apples, grapes and peaches fared well and the level of production and quality was on par with produce grown in "pure" water. That year, marginal (small) farmers grew vegetables and fruits to augment their income, as well as cereal and fodder crops for their personal use. They were also able to cater to specific market demands such crops such as herbs, spices, and flowers.

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