Irrigation with Treated Wastewater from Wastewater Treatment Plants: Yes or No? / 21.04.2026

On 16 April 2026, the Slovenian newspaper Delo published an article on research conducted within the UPTAKE project. The article presents the work of researchers investigating the potential reuse of treated wastewater and sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants in agriculture, particularly for tomato cultivation.

The research focuses on food safety, the presence of micropollutants, and the assessment of risks to human health and the environment. The findings indicate that the use of these alternative water resources is generally promising; however, further research, clear guidelines, and appropriate water treatment are needed before such practices can be more widely adopted.

The UPTAKE project, successfully coordinated by Professor Dr Ester Heath, is now being further developed and expanded through the WIDER UPTAKE project.

The original article is available in Slovenian.