Optimization and evaluation of wastewater and groundwater blending for irrigation in Arid Regions of Kazakhstan

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 4, 359 - 375, 01.10.2025

Perizat Bulanbayeva Asylkhan Shomantayev Gulnur Daldabayeva Abzal Shegenbayev Bauyrzhan Otarbayev Botagoz Absatova Orken Baimakhanov Khansulu Kuspangaliyeva

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1753346

Abstract

This study evaluates the suitability of wastewater from the Modular Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWTS) in Tasboget village, Kyzylorda region, Kazakhstan, for agricultural irrigation, in alignment with the nation's "Concept for Transition to a Green Economy" (2013). Considering the severe challenges such as water scarcity and soil degradation in arid regions, the potential of treated wastewater as a sustainable resource is critically important. Through comprehensive physicochemical and microbiological analyses, the baseline quality of untreated wastewater was assessed, examining mineralization, toxic components, fecal coliform levels, and the risks of soil salinization and sodicity. The findings unequivocally reveal that untreated wastewater is unsuitable for direct irrigation due to its high mineralization (e.g., EC: 3.6 dS/m, TDS: 2304 mg/L), elevated chloride content (18.2 meq/L), high organic load (BOD: 120 mg/L), and significant microbial contamination (fecal coliform: 5,200 CFU/100 mL), all exceeding national and international standards. However, strategically blending this wastewater with clean groundwater at an optimal 1:3 ratio significantly improved its quality. This dilution reduced EC to 1.4 dS/m, SAR to 5.2, BOD to 45 mg/L, and fecal coliform to 800 CFU/100 mL, achieving a remarkable 93% suitability rating according to established agro-reclamation standards. The impacts of the optimized blend on soil quality were also positive; the 1:3 mix maintained soil EC (5.3 dS/m) and SAR (8.6) close to pre-irrigation levels, preserving soil structure and permeability. Furthermore, biomass yields and vigor of crops like alfalfa (8.5 t/ha), poplar (4.0 t/ha), and elm (3.4 t/ha) significantly increased under diluted wastewater application, with observed lower salinity stress compared to plots irrigated with untreated wastewater. This optimized blend minimizes environmental risks, enhances soil reclamation, and enables sustainable irrigation for both agricultural crops and woody plantations. The study emphasizes the importance of long-term soil and yield monitoring to ensure ecological stability and advocates for wastewater reuse as a viable and sustainable strategy to address water scarcity and promote resilient agriculture in arid regions. Our findings indicate that wastewater blending technology offers significant implications for regional water management policies and agricultural development.

Keywords

Wastewater irrigation , soil salinization , modular treatment , sodicity , blending technology , sustainable agriculture , water scarcity , agricultural resilience.

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