Irrigation with sewage effluent has potential
benefits to farmers which cannot be over emphasised.
But continual irrigation with wastewater over a long
period results to accumulation of heavy metals which
perils the growth of plants and overtime affect the
groundwater as well quality, and also impact human
health through the transfer of diseases pathogens when
used to irrigate vegetable crops. This paper reviewed the
treatment and use of sewage effluent for irrigation to
sustain agricultural production. The research indicated
that there are two sources of sewage effluent; point and
non-point sources and there are three basic methods of
treatment technology which includes wetland method,
treatment plant method and land application method. It
further noted that in the treatment of sewage sludge and
effluent, the following irrigation water quality should be
taken into consideration; pH, salinity level, SAR, CEC
level, BOD, COD, TSS, TKN, TP and other heavy metals
concentration in the water to minimize the
environmental and health impacts imposed by the use of
sewage effluent and sludge for irrigation