Lysimeter study of Fecal Coliform transport under drip irrigation

Shortage of fresh water resources is a major concern all over the world. Availability of water for irrigation is one of the most important factors in arid and semiarid regions، and treated domestic wastewater becomes an important source. Even after treatment، wastewater may contain a great variety of microorganisms that are hazardous for humans and environment. Thereafter the potential transmission of pollution is a principle concern associated with the agricultural use of treated wastewater. Thereafter various irrigation techniques can be used associated with treated wastewater for agriculture. Accordingly، the present study was conducted on Fecal Coliform in the wastewater treatment in laboratory columns، having 30 cm diameter and 60 cm height irrigated using surface (DI) and subsurface drip irrigation systems (SDI). Samples of the effluent and soil solutions were collected from each column after each irrigation events. Results represented that crowd of bacteries increased in both columns. There were no significant difference between crowds of bacteries in the effluent columns of two irrigation systems. It was observed that contamination of 15 cm layer in SDI was lower than DI column.