Changes

Crops such as corn, alfalfa (and other feed), fibres (cotton), trees, tobacco, fruit trees (mangos) and foods requiring processing (sugar beet) can be grown safely with treated effluent. More care should be taken when growing fruits and vegetables that may be eaten raw (e.g. tomatoes) that could come in contact with the water. Energy crops like eucalyptus, poplar, willow, or ash trees can be grown in short-rotation and harvested for biofuel production. Since the trees are not for consumption, this is a safe, efficient way of using lowerquality lower quality effluent.

There are potential health risks if water is not properly pre-treated (i.e. inadequate pathogen reduction). Soil quality can be degraded over time (e.g. accumulation of salts) if poorly treated wastewater waste water is applied. The application rate must be appropriate for the soil, crop and climate, or it could be damaging.

Drip irrigation systemsmust systems must be cleaned periodically to remove any built-up solids. The pipes should be checked for leaks as they are prone to damage from rodents and humans. Drip irrigation is more costly than conventional irrigation, but has improved yields and decreased water/ operating costs.