The Impact of Greywater Reuse in Irrigation on Public Health and Safety   Husam Damen Al- Hamaiedeh Mu’tah University - Faculty of Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, P.O Box 7; Karak, Jordan e-mail: husamh@mutah.edu.jo
			ABSTRACT

The potential public health risk associated with treated GW reuse for irrigation in home gardens has been investigated in this paper. The possible increase in the number and rate of water born diseases in the study area due GW reuse was studied using diarhea as indicator for these diseases. The concentration of some heavy metals in treated GW and the irrigated soil as well as the possible uptake of these metals by the irrigated plants have been determined. Moreover, a questioner has been designed and distributed among the inhabitants at the study area, it contained questions concerning health and other environmental impacts of GW reuse. The results show that there is no increase in the rate of water born diseases in the study area after GW reuse for irrigation. The accumulation of heavy metals in the soil was insignificant and the uptake of these metals by the irrigated plants did not occur. Results of questioner analyses showed that about 53% of the respondents are suffering from odor problems, while 21% are suffering from flies problems mainly in summer season.

Keywords: Home garden; Heavy metals; Greywater; Irrigation; Diarrhea; Health Risk

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