Potential use of treated wastewater and sludge in the agricultural sector of the Gaza Strip

Twelve elements (Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were analyzed in 120 composite samples of influent and effluent wastewater; the results revealed that domestic wastewater influent contains considerable amounts of heavy metals and the partially functional treatment plants of Gaza are able to remove 40–70% of most metals during the treatment process. Heavy metals in 31 industrial wastewater effluents are within the ranges of international standards. All industries of Gaza are light; although they have no treatment facilities, their effluents are being discharged to municipal sewerage system and the existing treatment plants are capable of absorbing the industrial effluents with no significant impact on treatment bioprocesses.