What is ISO 16075‑4 about?
ISO 16075‑4 is the fourth part of a series on treated wastewater use for irrigation projects. ISO 16075‑4 provides recommendations for monitoring the quality of treated wastewater (TWW) for irrigation. This involves monitoring irrigated plants, monitoring the soil with regard to salinity, monitoring natural water sources in neighbouring environments, and monitoring the quality of water in storage reservoirs.
ISO 16075‑4 puts emphasis on sampling methods and their frequency. Regarding the methods of analysis, ISO 16075‑4 refers to standard methods or, where not available, to other bibliographical references.
In cases where a monitoring plan already exists, these recommendations can be integrated into this plan. This is notably the case when a broader approach of risk management is implemented, such as the water safety plans (serving as a model for sanitation safety plans) developed by WHO.
Who is ISO 16075‑4 for?
ISO 16075‑4 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 16075‑4?
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 16075‑4 provides guidance for healthy, hydrological, environmental, and good operation, monitoring, and maintenance of water reuse projects for unrestricted and restricted irrigation of agricultural crops, gardens and landscape areas using treated wastewater. The quality of supplied TWW 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 16075‑4 refers to factors involved in water reuse projects for irrigation regardless of size, location, and complexity and applies to intended uses of treated wastewater 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 16075‑4:2021 supersedes ISO 16075‑4:2016, which is withdrawn. BS ISO 16075‑4:2021 has been editorially revised throughout.