Sewer water composition and its effect on soil properties

Raw sewer water samples were collected from various sewer disposal sites in Haryana where these waters are directly used for irrigating the crops. The chemical composition of the sewer waters varied from site to site. Available nutrients, total nutrients, soluble and total metal ions also differed between sites. Soil samples (0–15 cm) were also collected from fields irrigated with these waters and from nearby fields irrigated with canal/well waters to determine the changes in soil properties due to sewage irrigation. The physico-chemical properties, DTPA extractable and total macronutrients, micronutrients and toxic metal ions (Cd, Ni) varied according to the composition of the sewer water and duration of irrigation, but did not affect plant growth, so were in non-toxic concentrations.