Assessment of Fresh Water Reallocation by Treated Wastewater for Irrigation

Agricultural Sustainability Crop Sensitivity Economic Feasibility Irrigation Management Profitability Salinity Treated Wastewater Yield Response Function.

Authors

  • Mohammad A. Tabieh
    m.tabieh@ju.edu.jo
    Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942,, Jordan
  • Emad K. Al-Karablieh Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942,, Jordan
  • Tala H. Qtaishat Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942,, Jordan
  • Amer Z. Salman Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942,, Jordan
  • Nael H. Thaher Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942,, Jordan
  • Nehaya K. Al-Karablieh Department of Plant Protection, School of Agriculture and Hamdi Mango Center for Scientific Research, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942,, Jordan
  • Madi T. Al-Jaghbir Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942,, Jordan
  • Tharaa M. Al-Zghoul Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942,, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2925-1957
  • Ahmad I. Jamrah Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942,, Jordan

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This study investigates the economic feasibility and farmer acceptance of utilizing treated wastewater (TWW) for agricultural irrigation in the Northern Jordan Valley (NJV). Despite its potential to mitigate water scarcity, concerns about soil health, crop yield, and land utilization hinder widespread adoption. The research measures farm profitability and farmers' willingness to embrace TWW through various blending scenarios with traditional surface water sources, incorporating a yield response function to salinity within the profit function. Results reveal that TWW adversely affects salt-sensitive crops like citrus, with net profit declining from US$ 8,666/ha at 0% TWW to US$ 5,152/ha at 100% TWW. Conversely, crops such as date palms and olives maintain stable profitability, with date palms showing minimal variation around US$ 20,370/ha. Economic indicators highlight substantial profit declines for crops like peppers, which drop to US$ 714/ha at 100% TWW. The net value added for citrus decreases from US$ 0.81/m³ to US$ 0.46/m³, while date palms increase from US$ 1.36/m³ to US$ 1.41/m³, indicating resilience to salinity. Farmers' willingness to pay for water varies, exceeding US$ 0.70/m³ for tomatoes and peppers, while olives remain below US$ 0.14/m³. These findings underscore the importance of understanding crop-specific responses to TWW blending and emphasize a holistic approach that considers both economic viability and environmental impacts for sustainable agricultural practices.

 

Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2025-06-01-016

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