The wealth of waste : the economics of wastewater use in agriculture / by James Winpenny, Ingo Heinz, Sasha Koo-Oshima.

Also freely available online.

In recent times, the coalescence of different pressure has put a major strain on water supply globally. The level of water abstraction is reaching its natural limits, and this calls for a dramatic shift in water utilization concepts. This publication addresses the economic and financial issues and the methodology and procedures involved in the analysis of water recycling projects as part of a comprehensive water planning process. The issue is dealt within the wider context of water resources and covers human health, water quality, acceptability, institutional constraints, and other factors, all of which have economic implications and affect the feasibility of reuse schemes. The recycling of urban wastewater is a key link in integrated water resource management (IWRM) that can fulfill several different, but interrelated objectives. These are expressed as win-win propositions, delivering simultaneous benefits to farmers, cities and natural environmental systems, part of solutions to the urgent global problems of food, clean water, the safe disposal of waters and the protection of the vital aquatic ecosystems.--Publisher's description.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 111-129).

Introduction to wastewater reuse -- A regional perspective : introduction to the case studies from Spain and Mexico -- An economic methodology for assessing the feasibility of using recycled water in agriculture -- Results and conclusions from case study analyses -- Conclusions.