What is ISO 16075‑3 about?
ISO 16075‑3 is the third part of the multi-series on guidelines for treated wastewater use for irrigation projects. ISO 16075‑3 covers the system's components needed for the use of treated wastewater (TWW) for irrigation. Emphasis is placed on irrigation methods, mainly drip irrigation, as this method represents an efficient method of irrigation and water-saving, while reducing the pollution of the crops.
Even though water quality and filtration of TWW using drip irrigation are critical, open irrigation systems are more popular and are frequently used for irrigation with TWW.
Note 1: ISO 16075‑3 covers issues related to the main components of a TWW irrigation project, including the following pumping stations, storage reservoirs, treatment facilities (for irrigation purposes), filtration and disinfection, distribution pipeline networks, water application devices: irrigation system components and treatment.
Note 2: ISO 16075‑3 is not intended to be used for certification purposes.
Who is ISO 16075‑3 for?
ISO 16075‑3 on guidelines for TWW for irrigation projects can be used by any entity that generates wastewater and treats it for reuse. ISO 16075‑3 is useful for:
- Wastewater treatment plants in all locations (offices, factories, residential areas)
- Waste management and recycling facilities
- Environmental bodies
- Government bodies / municipalities
Why should you use ISO 16075‑3?
The increasing water scarcity and water pollution control efforts in many countries have made treated municipal and industrial wastewater a suitable economic means of augmenting the existing water supply, especially when compared to expensive alternatives such as desalination or the development of new water sources involving dams and reservoirs.
ISO 16075‑3 provides guidance for healthy, hydrological, environmental, and good operation, monitoring, and maintenance of water reuse projects. These involve the unrestricted and restricted irrigation of agricultural crops, gardens, and landscape areas using TWW. The quality of supplied TWW for irrigation should reflect the possible uses according to crop sensitivity (health-wise and agronomy-wise), water sources (the hydrologic sensitivity of the project area), the soil, and climate conditions.
ISO 16075‑3 refers to factors involved in water reuse projects for irrigation regardless of size, location, and complexity and applies to intended uses of TWW in a given project even if such uses will change during the project’s lifetime as a result of changes in the project itself or the applicable legislation.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS ISO 16075‑3:2021 supersedes ISO 16075‑3:2015, which is withdrawn. BS ISO 16075‑3:2021 includes some technical and editorial changes with respect to ISO 16075‑3:2015. These include:
- Editorial changes
- Addition of Annex F (Flushing the drip irrigation pipes)