ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Farmers’ Awareness about Impacts of Reusing
Wastewater, Risk Perception and Adaptation
to Climate Change in Faisalabad District,
Pakistan
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1
School of Public Administration, Xiangtan University, Hunan Xiangtan, 411105 P.R. China
2
School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, 430000 P.R. China
3
School of Economics, Shandong University Jinan, 250000 P.R. China
4
Department of Law, Central South University, Changsha, 410000 P.R. China
Submission date: 2021-02-07
Final revision date: 2021-03-09
Acceptance date: 2021-03-15
Online publication date: 2021-09-01
Publication date: 2021-09-22
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(5):4663-4675
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ABSTRACT
Water scarceness is the most critical problem for numerous arid and semi-arid areas. It leads to the
use of wastewater in many countries. This study was aimed to determine the farmer’s awareness about
reusing wastewater in their risk perception and adaptation to climate change in district Faisalabad,
Pakistan. Faisalabad has become an industrial hub and industrial discharge is becoming problematic
for local community and environment. Usually, farmers depend on wastewater for agriculture purposes
in many aspects. The present study was divided into two phases, in the first phase a questionnairebased
study was conducted in urban and peri-urban areas while in the second phase, wastewater quality
parameters were determined (pH, SS, TDS, BOD, COD, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead,
nickel and zinc) and compared with Pakistan Environmental Quality Standards. Results indicated that
farmers had a strong awareness (96.8%) about fertility value of wastewater for many aspects, but they
were unaware (71.6%) about health hazard of untreated wastewater used for crop irrigation. In the
current study correlation of Determining of Climate Change (DCC) with age and farming experience
was highly significant with correlation values 0.48 and 0.40 respectively. Adaption Measures (AM)
correlation values with age and farming experience were 0.49 and 0.75 respectively. Other variables
livelihood Assets (LA) was also correlated with Determining of Climate Change (DCC) and Adaption
Measures (AM) and all variables were found significant week to moderate correlation among all selected
variables. Farmers (>70%) used different techniques to adapt to climate change like irrigation, seeds, fertilizer and crops. Industrial and sewage wastewater quality of Faisalabad showed higher values than
PEQs, creating an alarming situation for local people’s health and environment. High metal pollution
index (<1000) showed the heavy effluent discharge from industries and putting pressure on groundwater
resources as well. It is strongly recommended that water should be treated prior to reuse for irrigation.
This study will help to ensure proper monitoring, develop and implementation of public policies for
integrated and sustainable water management to minimize the health hazards in district Faisalabad.