Effect of sewage water on physical properties of cultivated soils of Peri-urban Areas of Haryana

Raw sewer and tube well water samples were collected from various sewer disposal sites and nearby fields in Haryana where these waters are directly used for irrigating the crops. Soil samples (0-15 and 15-30 cm) were also collected from fields irrigated with these waters and from nearby fields irrigated with non-sewage waters to determine the changes in soil physical properties due to sewage irrigation. All the physical properties except texture varied according to the composition of the sewer water and duration of irrigation. The bulk density was found highest in Narwana (1.56 Mg m-3) at 0-15 cm in sewage water irrigated soil while at 15-30 cm depth it was highest in Charkhi Dadri (1.54 Mg m-3). The infiltration rate decreased with the application of sewage water. However, the highest infiltration rate was observed in Jind district (25.0 mm h−1) under the non-sewage water as compared to the sewage water (17.6 mm h−1). The highest water retention (26.22%) was observed in the soils irrigated with sewage water at 0.03 bar in district Jind while it was lowest (14.84%) in the soils of Charkhi Dadri at 0-15 cm. Highest available water capacity was recorded in the soils irrigated with sewage water at 0-15 cm depth in district Kaithal (21.15%) while it was lowest (9.23%) in the soils of Charkhi Dadri. Therefore, sewage water can be used for irrigation but continuous monitoring is necessary to check its long term effect.