TREATED MUNICIPAL WASTE-WATER FOR CITRUS IRRIGATION

Treated, reclaimed municipal wastewater was evaluated on citrus trees in central Florida for over six years, The effects of irrigation with reclaimed wastewater on soil water content, soil chemical analysis, leaf mineral status, and fruit quality were compared with those of irrigation with well water. Irrigation with reclaimed water increased mineral residues in the soil profile, altered leaf mineral concentration and fruit quality, and promoted better tree performance and more weed growth relative to irrigation with well water. Higher accumulation of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in soils irrigated with reclaimed water were not significantly reflected in leaf mineral status. Although leaf sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), and boron (B) concentrations were noticeably higher in reclaimed water treatments than in those of well water, they are still far below the toxicity levels. This highly treated wastewater in central Florida has been found to be a very safe and good option for increasing water supplies, but not a significant source of plant nutrients to citrus trees.