Circular Economy and Water Pollution (CEWP)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/110269

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United for progress: Ghana’s multi-institutional circular bioeconomy Innovation Hub
(Journal Article, 2024-01) Agbefu, Dzifa; Drechsel, Pay; Amoah, Philip
After years of fragmented efforts to create circular approaches to waste management in Ghana, the new circular bio-economy (CBE) Innovation Hub in Ghana is bringing together diverse stakeholders to jointly promote existing CBE approaches through training, advice, demonstrations, and research, while fostering the development of new, accessible innovations.
‘Squeezing Out’ the Nile Delta’s drainage water to irrigate Egypt’s desert land
(Journal Article, 2024-01-01) Tawfik, Mohamed; Hoogesteger, J.; Moussa, M.; Hellegers, P.
Egypt’s quota of Nile River water has been constant since the 1950s, despite the continual agricultural land expansion. To facilitate land reclamation, Egypt has reallocated Nile water from downstream users, mostly smallholders in the ‘old lands’ of the Delta. As water demands have grown, more attention has gone to the reuse of waste/drainage water as a reliable source for irrigated agriculture in the “old lands”. Recently, new mega plants for drainage water treatment have been built to promote reclamation of ‘new lands’ in desert-front governorates located outside the Nile Delta. Through these plants and the related water conveyance infrastructure, drainage water from the ‘old lands’ is now being collected, treated, and reallocated to these newly reclaimed areas. This article scrutinizes this transformation of access to drainage water, examining who benefits and what implications it holds for smallholder farmers in the old lands. The analysis suggests that waste/drainage water reclamation schemes do not tap into unused water but actually risk depriving smallholders in the Nile Delta of water access. It argues that more attention should be given to existing informal reuse arrangements and that smallholders’ access to water is guaranteed in light of new drainage water reuse projects.
إعادة استخدام المياه في الشرق األوسط وشمال أفريقيا: كتاب مرجعي
(Book, 2023-12-31) Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Al-Hamdi, M.; AbuZeid, K.
‫تعتبر‬‫منطقة‬ ‫الشرق‬ ‫األوسط‬ ‫وشمال‬ ‫أفريقيا‬ ‫‪جمع‬ ‫هذا‬ ‫الكتاب‬ ‫بيانات‬ ‫من‬ ‫‪19‬‬ ‫دولة‬ ‫عربية‬ ‫في‬ ‫منطقة‬ ‫الشرق‬ ‫األوسط‬ ‫وشمال‬‫أفريقيا‬ ‫(وهى‬ ‫الجزائر‬ ‫والبحرين‬ ‫ومصر‬ ‫والعراق‬ ‫واألردن‬ ‫والكويت‬ ‫ولبنان‬ ‫وليبيا‬ ‫وموريتانيا‬ ‫والمغرب‬ ‫وعمان‬ ‫وفلسطين‬‫وقطر‬ ‫والمملكة‬ ‫العربية‬ ‫السعودية‬ ‫والسودان‬ ‫وسوريا‬ ‫وتونس‬ ‫واإلمارات‬ ‫العربية‬ ‫المتحدة‬ ‫واليمن)‪.‬‬ ‫من‬ ‫بداية‬‫هذا‬ ‫الكتاب‬ ‫إلى‬ ‫نهايته‪،‬‬ ‫يشير‬ ‫مصطلحا‬ ‫«منطقة‬ ‫الشرق‬ ‫األوسط‬ ‫وشمال‬ ‫إفريقيا»‬ ‫و‪/‬‬ ‫أو‬ ‫«المنطقة»‬ ‫تلك‬ ‫البلدان‬ ‫الـ‪19‬‬‫فقط‪].‬‬ ‫أكثر‬ ‫المناطق‬ ‫ندرة‬ ‫في‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫في‬ ‫العالم‪.‬‬ ‫وفي‬ ‫الوقت‬ ‫الراهن‪،‬‬ ‫يبلغ‬ ‫متوسط‬ ‫توافر‬ ‫الموارد‬ ‫المائية‬ ‫المتجددة‬ ‫للفرد‬‫ُ‬ ‫ع‬‫شر‬‫المتوسط‬ ‫العالمي‪.‬‬ ‫يقع‬ ‫اثنا‬ ‫عشر‬ ‫بلدا‬ ‫من‬ ‫أصل‬ ‫خمسة‬ ‫عشر‬ ‫بلدا‬ ‫تعاني‬ ‫من‬ ‫اإلجهاد‬ ‫المائي‬ ‫في‬ ‫العالم‬ ‫في‬ ‫منطقة‬‫الشرق‬ ‫األوسط‬ ‫وشمال‬ ‫إفريقيا‪.‬‬ ‫أصبحت‬ ‫ندرة‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫المتزايدة‬ ‫والتلوث‬ ‫مصدر‬ ‫قلق‬ ‫كبير‬ ‫للدول‬ ‫و‬ ‫االفراد‪.‬‬ ‫تخلق‬ ‫أزمة‬‫شح‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫منافسة‬ ‫ع‬ ‫بين‬ ‫القطاعات‬ ‫المختلفة‬ ‫وبين‬ ‫البلدان‬ ‫على‬ ‫مصادر‬ ‫المياه‬ ‫المتاحة‬ ‫مما‬ ‫يهدد‬ ‫من‬ ‫االستقرار‬ ‫االجتماعي‬‫والسالم‬ ‫والنمو‬ ‫االقتصادي‬ ‫والنظم‬ ‫اإليكولوجية‪.‬‬
Urban stakeholder analysis for food waste prevention and reduction in Sri Lanka
(Report, 2023-12-12) Aheeyar, Mohamed M.M.; Jayathilake, Nilanthi; Bucatariu, C.; Reitemeier, Maren; Drechsel, Pay
Mapping stakeholders and their potential roles for prevention and reduction of food waste (FW) supports a coherent, coordinated and complementary approach to quantification, causes identification and scaling up of feasible solutions for significant returns on investment. State and nonstate stakeholders were mapped in selected municipalities: Colombo metropolitan area (Colombo, Sri Jayewardenepura-Kotte, Negombo, Kaduwela and Moratuwa municipal council areas), Jaffna, Kandy, Batticoloa, Kurunegala and Galle. Stakeholders were grouped into four clusters: producers, enterprises/food business operators, private/public/civil society organizations and households. The stakeholders’ maps guided sensitization and capacity-building sessions whose conclusions fed into the preparation of the National Roadmap on Urban Food Waste Prevention and Reduction for Households, Food services, Retailers and Wholesalers launched on 17 August 2021. According to the analysis, the institutions working on food and/or (bio-)waste can be divided into governmental, semi-governmental, private, and non-governmental. Food safety, quality control and waste management in Sri Lanka is under the umbrella of the central government, provincial council (PC) and local authorities(LAs) that cover governance (e.g. policies and regulations), production, trade, input supply, services, welfare support and research. However, duties and responsibilities are, sometimes, crosscutting and interrelated with overlaps that can lead to poor coordination. An array of institutions at central and provincial levels are engaged to strengthen the food production sector in Sri Lanka. The existing inter-institutional coordination mechanism could be improved. The coordination for knowledge generation and dissemination between national and provincial systems should be strengthened. The report was produced for the project Innovative approaches to reduce, recycle and reuse FW in urban Sri Lanka that was implemented under the oversight of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) from June 2019 to August 2021.
Sewage sludge: a review of business models for resource recovery and reuse
(Report, 2023-12-15) Taron, Avinandan; Singh, S.; Drechsel, Pay; Ravishankar, C.; Ulrich, Andreas
In many low- and middle-income countries, sewage sludge generated from wastewater treatment systems has potential environmental and health hazards. To tackle this challenge, there is a need for innovative options given the increasing concerns and policies restricting sewage sludge dumping in landfills and elsewhere, and a growing awareness about the resource value of sludge within a circular economy. In developed countries, water utilities, municipalities and the private sector are increasingly engaged in utilizing and innovating modern resource recovery technologies to capture biosolids, nutrients or energy from sewage sludge and reducing disposal. This study reviews existing approaches and business models for resource recovery and moves the discussion beyond technical feasibility. Case studies were analyzed in support of four main sets of business models depending on the targeted resource: (i) organic fertilizers, (ii) crop nutrients, (iii) energy, and (iv) organic fertilizers and nutrients along with energy. The extraction of organic fertilizers through dewatering, thickening, stabilization or long-term storage drives the first set of models followed by technological advances in phosphorus recovery. The business models on energy similarly start from conventional energy recovery processes (anaerobic digestion) and move toward incineration. The discussion covers recent advances in gasification and pyrolysis. Transforming sewage sludge into biochar, for example, can support soil fertility and carbon sequestration. The final set covers integrative approaches supporting soil fertility and energy needs. The critical step for emerging economies is to develop a wastewater management strategy and link it to a circular economy framework without having a negative impact on environmental and human health. While technologies and business models generally have a favorable policy environment, there is a lack of a regulatory framework that allows the marketing, use and export of recovered (waste-derived) resources for certain applications. For example, there needs to be an increase in industry acceptance of phosphorus recovered from sewage sludge to penetrate agricultural markets despite the currently still cheaper phosphate rock, which is a finite resource.
Antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments: priorities and knowledge for water quality modelling [Abstract only]
(Conference Paper, 2023-01-19) Jampani, Mahesh; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Langan, Simon J.
Antibiotics have revolutionized medicine and enabled the prevention of bacterial infections that were previously deemed untreatable. In parallel, bacteria have increasingly developed resistance because of the overuse and misuse of antibiotics; as a result, antibiotic resistance (AR) has become a major public health public health concern in recent years. When resistant bacteria find their way into aquatic environments, animal and human exposures to resistant pathogens increase, and health risks multiply. Aquatic environments play a crucial role in AR development and spread where they receive antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from a number of sources such as agriculture, aquaculture, and wastewater treatment plants. Water quality modelling is an increasingly important approach to understanding AR in aquatic environments; it can help identify resistance patterns of emerging concern, evaluate fate and transport, assess infection risks, and look into their management. However, research on modelling AR in aquatic environments is still in its early stages. The conceptual understanding of sources and pathways of antibiotics, ARB, and ARGs from society to the water systems is essential for setting the scene and developing an appropriate modelling framework. The factors and processes associated with climate change, hydrology and ecology can significantly affect the fate and transport of ARB and ARGs in natural environments. This paper discusses current knowledge, research gaps, and priorities for developing water quality models to assess the fate and transport of ARB and ARGs. Further, we provide a conceptual water quality modelling framework through a critical review of methods and approaches. Prioritizing the development of fate and transport models for AR could provide insights into bacterial evolution and help manage environmental pollution and mitigate health risks. Developing different modelling scenarios and management strategies based on the proposed framework could improve health and water security and therefore achieve Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6.
Antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments: priorities and knowledge for water quality modelling
(Presentation, 2023-01-19) Jampani, Mahesh; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Langan, Simon J.
Despite urgent global warnings, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to escalate, with projections of 10 million deaths annually by 2050 if unchecked. In response, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and partners highlight the environmental dimensions of AMR, particularly the role of aquatic systems in the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes. While AMR has been largely addressed through strategies to curb antibiotic use, this publication emphasizes the critical need to model the environmental pathways of resistance. IWMI’s proposed source-to-receptor water quality modelling framework captures the fate and transport of antimicrobial contaminants through complex water systems, enabling scenario planning and policy guidance. Drawing on field experiences and interdisciplinary research, the framework aims to inform regulatory responses, investment in treatment technologies, and sustainable waste management. The report identifies gaps in environmental data and model calibration, calling for coordinated action across research, institutions, and governments to build resilient, data-driven systems that mitigate the spread of AMR and protect water resources and public health.
Water: amplifying impact through the CGIAR Initiative on one health
(Blog Post, 2023-07-25) Mateo-Sagasta, Javier
Water plays a crucial role as a key connector between the three components of One Health. What happens to water upstream affects humans and animals downstream. The concept of One Health recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environment health and emphasizes the importance of addressing health challenges through a holistic approach that integrates multiple disciplines and sectors. Globally, the health of water is affected by various water users and pollution sources including cities, towns, crops, livestock and industries. Water scarcity, water pollution and inadequate water management have profound impacts on the health of people and animals and the ecosystems where they co-exist. Climate change, population growth, increased per capita consumption and unsustainable production all aggravate this challenge.
Modelling of antibiotic resistance in aquatic systems: a useful tool to protect human and ecosystem health
(Blog Post, 2023-11-26) Jampani, Mahesh; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier
Antibiotic resistance in aquatic systems puts the health of people and animals at risk from diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Scientists at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) are working with research partners on modelling of water quality to understand how antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes are transmitted in water systems. Their findings will guide interventions aimed at reducing water pollution and the spread of antibiotic resistance. In this post, IWMI researchers Mahesh Jampani and Javier Mateo-Sagasta discuss how water quality modelling can help tackle the threat of antibiotic resistance.
A multi-criteria decision support tool for selecting circular economy business models
(Brief, 2023-11-27) Somorin, Tosin; Gebrezgabher, Solomie A.; Ghosh, Surajit; Taron, Avinandan; Bodach, Susanne
Waste management has become a pivotal public health and environmental question, particularly in developing nations, due to rapid industrialization, population growth, and inadequate policy. To foster a long-term pattern of progress, global trends are encouraging governments, policymakers, and international organizations to explore pathways for transitioning from linear to circular economy business models. Resource Recovery and Reuse (RRR) offers viable pathways with multiple value propositions beyond environmental benefits. However, the decision-making processes involved in the shaping and selection of business models often require weighing costs and benefits and making trade-offs among alternatives and competing priorities. Some costs and benefits are clearly identifiable and can be numerically expressed, yet many others cannot be readily determined. This technical report presents the conceptual framework underlying a multi-criteria-based decision support tool tailored to enable decisionmakers and practitioners to select appropriate and sustainable CE business models in the RRR context with positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes.
Reducing food waste: how to make it work? A look at IWMI’s work on the international day of awareness of food loss and waste.
(Blog Post, 2023-09-26) Perera, Tania
Despite nearly 800 million people going hungry in 2022, food loss and waste continue to undermine global food security and environmental goals, with up to 30% of food lost along supply chains or discarded after retail. On the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) spotlighted its two-decade commitment to turning food waste into value through composting and reuse initiatives, particularly in Sri Lanka. IWMI’s work promotes circular economy practices from composting and animal feed reuse to food redistribution while helping reduce landfill emissions and the burden on urban waste systems. Notably, informal partnerships between food services and peri-urban piggeries in Colombo exemplify how resource recovery can power local economies, though supply variability and regulatory gaps remain. In collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization, IWMI developed the National Roadmap on Urban Food Waste Prevention and Reduction, operational since 2021, which has inspired food banks and awareness programs. The institute also supports training and digital innovations, such as a mobile app linking food waste sources to users, reinforcing its role in shaping policy, practice, and public behavior toward achieving SDG 12.3.
From waste to relief: unlocking the potential for food rescue in low- and middle-income countries
(Conference Paper, 2023-09-20) Bodach, Susanne; Athukorala, Aruni Narmada; Wickramaarachchi, Hasintha
Food rescue has emerged as a promising approach to address the interrelated issues of food insecurity and food waste. According to the food waste hierarchy, the next best strategy after food waste prevention is to donate surplus food for human consumption. However, while some countries have well-established networks of charities and government support to promote surplus food donation and food rescue in most developing countries is often less structured and smaller in scale. To gain insights into the current landscape of food rescue, this study thoroughly examined existing food rescue operations and systems, mainly from the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, India, and the Philippines. The study also analysed several countries' food rescue policy environments to understand how an enabling environment can be created. A particular focus was set on food safety being a critical consideration when rescuing and donating surplus food. Simplified food safety guidelines, staff training, and adequate storage and transportation facilities are crucial to food safety. Effective partnerships between food rescue organizations, food businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders are also critical to the success of food rescue efforts. The study found a need to develop such partnerships in developing countries, where they may be less established than in the Global North. To facilitate the development of an enabling environment for food rescue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the study developed a set of templates, including relevant food safety guidelines, partnership contracts, and policy templates. These resources can serve as valuable tools for stakeholders in LMICs to promote and enhance food rescue efforts that can help address food insecurity and reduce food waste.
On the feasibility of an agricultural revolution: Sri Lanka’s move to go 100% organic
(Conference Paper, 2023-09-20) Drechsel, Pay; Madhuwanthi, Piumi; Nisansala, Duleesha; Ramamoorthi, Dushiya; Bandara, Thilini
In April 2021, the Sri Lankan Government banned imports of agrochemicals, including chemical fertilizers, to make Sri Lanka the first fully organic and chemical fertilizer-free country globally. The ban was justified by human and environmental health concerns, such as many cases of kidney failure in the central parts of Sri Lanka. While previous policies had envisioned a stepwise transition, the sudden ban jolted the agriculture sector. However, it was aligned with the emerging national economic crisis with drastically declining foreign exchange reserves that restricted the import of commodities, including fertilizer for distribution at subsidized prices. The ban was also opportune because fertilizer prices peaked on international markets in 2022. Without any transitional time, the thrust for organic fertilizers failed to satisfy demand or obtain the required crop nutrients resulting in severe agricultural losses. After the first data on decreasing yields were revealed, the government lifted the chemical fertilizer ban on December 1, 2021, but it was too late as the cropping season had arrived. Without financial reserves to import fertilizer, the donor community was urged to assist. This paper addresses: (1) justification of the ban, (2) the feasibility of transitioning to organic fertilizers based on the available biomass to replace chemical fertilizers; and (3) the related cost implications. The scenarios focus on irrigated paddy rice and the plantation sector that underpin the national economy. Undervalued nutrient sources are also considered as well as the constraints to and implications of such a transition beyond Sri Lanka’s frontiers.
Developing bankable water reuse projects: guidelines for planners, investors, project designers and operators
(Brief, 2023-10-30) International Water Management Institute
As water scarcity deepens across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), IWMI’s ReWater MENA project outlines a practical roadmap for designing “bankable” water reuse models that are not only environmentally sustainable but financially viable. The brief emphasizes thinking like a business defining value propositions, targeting cost recovery, and forming innovative public-private partnerships. It introduces a five-step approach: identifying reuse options, developing business models, designing financing strategies, assessing risks, and creating implementation plans. Drawing from real cases, such as the Ouradanine treatment plant in Tunisia, the brief shows how reclaimed water and biosolids can serve agricultural needs while covering operational costs. IWMI stresses that enabling policy, legal, and institutional frameworks are essential for adoption and scale-up. With rising demand for water driven by population growth and agriculture, the guide equips governments, investors, and practitioners with actionable tools to turn water reuse into a reliable contributor to economic resilience and environmental security in the MENA region.
Harmonious governance frameworks for water reuse: guidelines for planners, investors, project designers and operators
(Brief, 2023-10-30) International Water Management Institute
Effective governance is central to successful water reuse in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where water scarcity is intensifying due to population growth and agricultural pressure. This IWMI brief under the ReWater MENA project outlines a thirteen-step approach for designing inclusive, functional governance frameworks that accommodate the diverse range of formal and informal stakeholders in water reuse from ministries and farmers to NGOs and private operators. It emphasizes consensus-building through multi-stakeholder platforms, mapping institutional gaps, aligning roles and responsibilities, and ensuring data transparency. Real-world cases from Jordan and Lebanon illustrate how local dialogue, standards development, and coordination can improve water reuse acceptability and policy coherence. The brief stresses flexibility in institutional roles, capacity-building for public administrations, and nurturing trust among actors. By recognizing local expertise while avoiding governance ambiguity, IWMI presents a blueprint for collaborative, adaptive water reuse management that is vital for sustainable development across the region.
Improve acceptance of water reuse: guidelines for planners, investors, project designers and operators
(Brief, 2023-10-30) International Water Management Institute
As water scarcity worsens across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), public acceptance of water reuse has become a critical challenge and opportunity. This IWMI thematic brief highlights that barriers ranging from health and environmental concerns to cultural, religious, and economic factors can delay or derail water reuse adoption. Acceptance is driven by trust, knowledge, affordability, risk perception, and the availability of alternatives. Drawing from examples like Deir Debwan in Palestine, where severe shortages have increased support for reuse, the brief emphasizes the need for early, continuous stakeholder engagement and transparent communication. Effective messaging, sensitive to language and cultural context, along with participatory planning and proactive risk communication, can shift public perception. Strategies include avoiding negative terminology (e.g., "wastewater"), using advisory councils, hosting public site visits, and communicating clearly about health safeguards. By equipping planners, policymakers, and utility operators with tailored communication tools and engagement strategies, IWMI underscores the role of trust-building in scaling sustainable water reuse solutions essential to food security and urban resilience in the MENA region.
Gender mainstreaming in water reuse: guidelines for planners, investors, project designers and operators
(Brief, 2023-10-30) International Water Management Institute
Gender equity is essential for the success of water reuse projects in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), yet women remain underrepresented in decision-making, employment, and planning processes. This IWMI brief promotes gender mainstreaming as a practical entry point toward a more transformative approach one that challenges systemic inequalities and redistributes power and resources. Women, especially in countries like Egypt where they represent a significant share of the agricultural labor force, are often excluded from water reuse governance and technical training, despite their key roles. The brief outlines a project cycle-based framework with guiding questions to integrate gender at every stage, from initiation to evaluation. Real-life cases, such as those in Kafr El-Sheikh, reveal how lack of safety assurances and market stigma force marginalized women to sell low-demand crops irrigated with drainage water outside their communities. Removing institutional barriers to female employment and ensuring access to information and resources can create more inclusive and effective outcomes. By embedding gender perspectives into employment strategies, service design, and policy dialogues, IWMI advocates for water reuse systems that reflect the needs, voices, and capacities of all stakeholders.
The cultural, economic and regulatory environment affecting the adoption of marginal quality water and risk reduction measures
(Book Chapter, 2023-09-08) Alcon, F.; Drechsel, Pay
In response to growing water scarcity and pollution in agricultural regions, the discussion focuses on the enabling conditions required for farmers to safely use marginal quality water (MQW) and adopt effective risk mitigation practices. Three key scenarios are considered: the planned use of treated wastewater, informal use of polluted water in the absence of alternatives, and soil salinity management in irrigated areas. Adoption is shaped by a mix of financial incentives, public perceptions, regulatory support, and awareness levels. In Jordan and Tunisia, trust in water reuse has been enhanced through public education and stakeholder engagement, while elsewhere, low awareness and weak institutional backing hinder safer practices. Unlike the invisible risks of contaminated wastewater, salinity is directly observable and often triggers farmer-led responses but still requires coordinated catchment-level strategies. A conceptual framework is introduced to help policymakers and practitioners design locally tailored interventions that account for behavioral, technical, and environmental drivers, advancing safer and more sustainable water use in agriculture.
Ecological risks and risk mitigation measures related to water quality and agriculture
(Book Chapter, 2023-09-08) Lamizana, B.; Drechsel, Pay
Addressing the ecological impacts of agriculture on water quality, this contribution highlights the urgent need for landscape-based risk mitigation to preserve freshwater ecosystem services. Agricultural practices including monocropping, fertilizer and pesticide use, irrigation drainage, and livestock and aquaculture operations contribute significantly to pollution, biodiversity loss, and downstream eutrophication. The document outlines how nutrient runoff, sedimentation, and chemical contamination from farms disturb aquatic life, reduce oxygen levels, and degrade wetland functions. Emphasizing a precautionary, ecosystem-health approach, the text promotes good agricultural practices tailored to local conditions. These include soil conservation techniques, optimized fertilizer and pesticide use, integrated pest management, and environmentally sound irrigation design. For livestock and aquaculture, waste containment and water treatment measures such as constructed wetlands are recommended. Benchmark indicators like nitrogen and phosphorus thresholds, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and toxic element concentrations are used to assess ecosystem integrity. The brief also recognizes the importance of behavior change, community awareness, and economic incentives such as certification schemes and payment for ecosystem services (PES) to encourage adoption of sustainable practices. By integrating practical controls with ecological criteria, the guidance offers a roadmap for balancing productivity and environmental resilience in agro-ecosystems.
Livestock and water quality
(Book Chapter, 2023-09-08) Camillis, C. de; Drechsel, Pay; Raizman, E.
The intersection of livestock production and water quality is critical yet often under-addressed in agricultural planning. As livestock systems intensify worldwide, they contribute significantly to both water demand and contamination risks. This section examines the dual role of water in livestock systems as a vital input for animal health and as a medium vulnerable to pollution from waste, pathogens, and chemical residues. It provides detailed guidance on water quality thresholds for livestock drinking water, addressing parameters such as salinity, trace metals, nitrates, and microbial hazards like E. coli, Cryptosporidium, and blue-green algae. The document also explores good management practices and treatment options ranging from activated carbon filtration to chlorination and sulfate reduction to mitigate waterborne risks and ensure safe consumption. Furthermore, it highlights how livestock waste, when mismanaged, degrades water quality through nutrient runoff, organic loading, and pathogen transmission, especially in intensive systems. The document stresses preventive measures including runoff control, site assessment, constructed wetlands, and extension support to reduce contamination. By offering risk-specific guidance across livestock types and production systems, this technical overview strengthens the case for integrated livestock-water management that balances productivity, animal welfare, and environmental protection.

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