Sustainability of land application of class B biosolids

Analysis of effects and factors linked to soil microbial populations and nitrogen cycling under long-term biosolids application

Information about impacts of long-term biosolids application on soil microbial populations and functional groups and N cycling is important for evaluating soil health and agroecosystem sustainability under long-term biosolids application. Mine spoil plots received annual biosolids application from 1973 to 2010 at low (16.8 Mg ha-1 yr-1), medium (33.6 Mg ha-1 yr-1), and high rates (67.2 Mg ha-1 yr-1). A no-biosolids control received chemical fertilizer at the agronomic rate. Soil samples were collected in three seasons per year spanning 2003-2005 for measuring soil moisture, pH, soil organic C (SOC), total and extractable heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn), NO3-, N mineralization potential (NMP), microbial biomass C (MBC), and populations of three N-cycling bacteria (NCB) groups: ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), and denitrifying bacteria (DNB). Soil samples were collected again in 2008 and 2010 for quantifying total and extractable heavy metals, and in 2018 (eight years after biosolids applications ended) for measuring SOC, MBC, NMP, and microbial respiration. During 2003-2005, mean MBC was 315, 554, 794, and 1001 mg kg-1 in the control, low, medium, and high biosolids treatments, respectively. Populations of NCB did not differ among treatments. Biosolids application increased total and extractable metal concentrations but the effect of biosolids rates were much lower on extractable than total concentrations. Soil extractable Cd and Cu concentrations decreased from medium to high applications, likely due to complexing with biosolids organic matter. Partial least squares regression analysis identified a strong positive effect on MBC of SOC and a weak negative effect of Cu, explaining the strong net positive effect of biosolids on MBC. In 2018, the medium and high biosolids treatments maintained higher SOC, MBC, NMP, and microbial respiration than the control. This study provided further evidence that long-term biosolids application has positive effects on soil microbes that persist for years after ending application.

Fertilisation of agricultural soils with municipal biosolids: Glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid inputs to Québec field crop soils

Municipal biosolids (MBS) are suggested to be abundant, sustainable, inexpensive fertilisers, rich in phosphorus and nitrogen. However, MBS can also contain glyphosate and phosphonates that can degrade to AMPA. Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are used in field crops all over the world. Most glyphosate generally degrades within a few weeks, mainly as aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). AMPA is more persistent than glyphosate, and can accumulate from one crop year to the next. AMPA is phytotoxic even to glyphosate-resistant crops. The aims of this study were to assess whether MBS applications constitute: 1) an additional source of glyphosate and AMPA to agricultural soils with respect to GBH, 2) a significant source of trace metals, and 3) a partial replacement of mineral fertilisation while maintaining similar yields. To this end, four experimental agricultural sites were selected in Québec (Canada). Soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected to estimate the as yet unmeasured contribution of MBS application to glyphosate and AMPA inputs in agricultural soils. MBS applied in 2021 and 2022 had mean concentrations of 0.69 ± 0.53 μg glyphosate/dry g and 6.26 ± 1.93 μg AMPA/dry g. Despite the presence of glyphosate and AMPA in MBS, monitoring of these two compounds in corn and soybean crops over two years showed no significant difference between plots treated with and without MBS applications. For the same site, yields measured at harvest were similar between treatments. MBS application could thus represent a partial alternative to mineral fertilisers for field crops, while limiting the economic and environmental costs associated with their incineration and landfilling. It is also an economic advantage for agricultural producers given the possibility of using fewer mineral fertilisers and therefore reducing the environmental impact of their use.

Changing bioavailability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to plant in biosolids amended soil through stabilization or mobilization

Biosolids containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) could contaminate the receiving environments once they are land applied. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of controlling the bioavailability of PFAS in biosolids to timothy-grass through stabilization or mobilization approaches. Stabilization was accomplished by adding a sorbent (i.e. granular activated carbon (GAC), RemBind, biochar) to biosolids, while mobilization was achieved by adding a surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), to biosolids. The results showed that the ΣPFAS concentration in grass shoots grown in biosolids amended soil treated by GAC or RemBind at 2% was only 2.77% and 3.35% of the ΣPFAS concentration detected in shoots grown in biosolids amended soil without a sorbent, respectively, indicating the effectiveness of GAC and RemBind for stabilizing PFAS and reduce their bioavailability. On the other hand, mobilization by adding SDS to biosolids at a dose range of 10-100 mg/kg significantly increased the plant uptake of ΣPFAS by 15.48%-108.57%. Thus, mobilization by adding SDS could be a valuable approach for enhancing the PFAS removal if phytoremediation is applied. Moreover, higher rate of PFAS uptake took place after grass cutting was observed in this study. Thus, proper mowing and regrowth of timothy-grass could lead to efficient and cost-effective removal of PFAS from biosolids amended soil through phytoremediation and leave the site clean to be used for other purposes.

Identification and Evaluation of Determining Factors and Actors in the Management and Use of Biosolids through Prospective Analysis (MicMac and Mactor) and Social Networks

The reuse of biosolids in agriculture and its inclusion within the circular economy model requires evaluating and analyzing factors that intervene in its management. The objective of the study was to analyze those factors that influence the management and use of biosolids. Fifty-three actors were questioned, and their answers were analyzed using two prospective methods and Social Network Analysis (SNA) identifying between 14 and 19 variables. Six should be prioritized due to their criticality and potential in management and reuse scenarios. It was observed that the formulation of objectives, such as the improvement of infrastructure, creation of an institutional policy, and the establishment of definitions for the kinds of biosolids, are opposed by internal agents. Seven key actors and four to six determining agents were identified in the scenarios. The network of management and use of biosolids in agriculture presented low density (0.28) and the exclusive action of three key actors. Consequently, the participation of a greater number of better-connected actors is required to project networks with a higher density (between 0.49 and 0.57), facilitating the diffusion of information and the inclusion of new actors not previously contemplated. The application of prospective and SNA methodologies focused on biosolids allows the prioritization of determinants, the evaluation of the level of involvement and communication between actors, and other aspects that have not been considered previously in the management of WWTPs in Colombia.

Management Strategies and Stakeholders Analysis to Strengthen the Management and Use of Biosolids in a Colombian Municipality

The difficulties in the management and use of biosolids in Colombia make it necessary to evaluate and analyze the factors involved through various methodologies to achieve the effective management and recycling of this type of waste. The objective of this study was to evaluate the management of sludge and biosolids from a WWTP in a Colombian municipality through the application of three methodologies (SWOT/TOWS, surveys, and stakeholder (player) weighing) for their subsequent use in agriculture. As a result, strategies were proposed at the regulatory, organizational policy, and entity integration levels, among others. It was identified that about 93.6% of the people surveyed had a positive attitude towards the use of biosolids in agriculture, despite recognizing the existence of a risk (27.3%) in this type of practice. On the other hand, regarding the communication of WWTP management of these wastes, they perceived that it to be absent (65%) and the lack of knowledge regarding the destination of these wastes was even greater (72.7%). Through the weighting of actors, 16 players were classified with whom it is necessary to work closely, regularly, or occasionally. The methodologies proposed will allow similar WWTPs to optimize their processes through continuous improvement and joint work between the different entities and communities. It is recommended that other methodologies be used to evaluate player position level in relation to planned strategies, as well as the level of associations of one player with another, independent of power and influence.

Fate and transport in environmental quality

Changes in pollutant concentrations in environmental media occur both from pollutant transport in water or air and from local processes, such as adsorption, degradation, precipitation, straining, and so on. The terms "fate and transport" and "transport and fate" reflect the coupling of moving with the carrier media and biogeochemical processes describing local transformations or interactions. The Journal of Environmental Quality (JEQ) was one of the first to publish papers on fate and transport (F&T). This paper is a minireview written to commemorate the 50th anniversary of JEQ and show how the research interests, methodology, and public attention have been reflected in fate and transport publications in JEQ during the last 40 years. We report the statistics showing how the representation of different pollutant groups in papers changed with time. Major focus areas have included the effect of solution composition on F&T and concurrent F&T, the role of organic matter, and the relative role of different F&T pathways. The role of temporal and spatial heterogeneity has been studied at different scales. The value of long-term F&T studies and developments in modeling as the F&T research approach was amply demonstrated. Fate and transport studies have been an essential part of conservation measure evaluation and comparison and ecological risk assessment. For 50 years, JEQ has delivered new insights, methods, and applications related to F&T science. The importance of its service to society is recognized, and we look forward to new generations of F&T researchers presenting their contributions in JEQ.

Long-term biosolids land application influences soil health

Soil health assessments associated with organic amendment applications have primarily focused attention on manure or composts. Yet, quantifying specific changes in soil health associated with biosolids land applications has yet to be determined. Our objectives were to evaluate the changes in various soil indicators, and utilizing the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF), quantify changes in soil indicator scores and soil health indices as affected by either increasing inorganic N fertilizer (0 up to 112 kg N ha^-1) or biosolids (0 up to 11.2 dry Mg ha^-1) applied every other year over 22 years. Soils were sampled (0 to 20 cm depth) following 22 years of N fertilizer or biosolids inputs to a dryland wheat-fallow (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation, 11 soil health indicators were monitored under SMAF guidelines, and indicators, indicator scores, and soil health indices were analyzed statistically. In general, increasing N fertilizer application rates had little effect on soil indicators, SMAF indicator scores or soil health indices. Increasing biosolids application rates increased soil organic C (SOC) and potentially mineralizable N (PMN). The SMAF indicator scores showed upward trends for soil pH, SOC, PMN, and microbial biomass C (MBC) associated with increasing biosolids application rates; discussing trends are important as these indicator scores are combined to provide soil health indices. Indeed, increasing biosolids application rates increased soil chemical and biological health indices, leading to an improvement in the overall soil health index. When comparing the overall N fertilizer to biosolids effect, biosolids applications significantly improved the soil biological health index. Results indicate that long-term biosolids land application to semi-arid, dryland wheat fallow rotations, similar to those studied, improve various aspects of soil health. These findings suggest that biosolids may play a pivotal role in dryland agroecosystem sustainability.

Removal and recovery of heavy metals from sewage sludge via three-stage integrated process

Heavy metal contamination of sewage sludge is one of the concerns preventing its land application. Traditional processes applied for stabilization of sewage sludge are still inadequate to serve sustainable solutions to heavy metal problem. In this study, fermentation and bioleaching potentials of sewage sludge were investigated in anaerobic reactors for either non-pretreated or ultrasonicated sludge at three different pH regimes (free of pH regulation, acidic, and alkaline). The results of the study revealed that combination of ultrasonication pretreatment and alkaline fermentation performed the best among the other cases, resulting in 33.7% hydrolysis, 10.5% acidification, 11-33% metal leaching, and up to 25% reduction in bioavailability of potentially toxic heavy metals. Bioleaching effluent obtained from the best performing reactor was subjected to membrane-based metal recovery. A supported liquid membrane impregnated with a basic carrier successfully recovered soluble metals from the bioleaching effluent with an efficiency of 39-68%. This study reveals that the proposed three-stage process, ultrasonication pretreatment-alkaline fermentation-supported liquid membrane, effectively produces stable sludge with reduced heavy metal toxicity and recovers metals from organic waste streams.

Anaerobic digestion of agricultural manure and biomass - Critical indicators of risk and knowledge gaps

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been identified as a potential green technology to treat food and municipal waste, agricultural residues, including farmyard manure and slurry (FYM&S), to produce biogas. FYM&S and digestate can act as soil conditioners and provide valuable nutrients to plants; however, it may also contain harmful pathogens. This study looks at the critical indicators in determining the microbial inactivation potential of AD and the possible implications for human and environmental health of spreading the resulting digestate on agricultural land. In addition, available strategies for risk assessment in the context of EU and Irish legislation are assessed. Storage time and process parameters (including temperature, pH, organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time), feedstock recipe (carbon-nitrogen ratio) to the AD plant (both mesophilic and thermophilic) were all assessed to significantly influence pathogen inactivation. However, complete inactivation of all pathogens is unlikely. There are limited studies evaluating risks from FYM&S as a feedstock in AD and the spreading of resulting digestate. The lack of process standardisation and varying feedstocks between AD farms means risk must be evaluated on a case by case basis and calls for a more unified risk assessment methodology. In addition, there is a need for the enhancement of AD farm-based modelling techniques and datasets to help in advancing knowledge in this area.

Biosolids and Tillage Practices Influence Soil Bacterial Communities in Dryland Wheat

Class B biosolids are used in dryland wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in eastern Washington as a source of nutrients and to increase soil organic matter, but little is known about their effects on bacterial communities and potential for harboring human pathogens. Moreover, conservation tillage is promoted to reduce erosion and soil degradation. We explored the impacts of biosolids or synthetic fertilizer in combination with traditional (conventional) or conservation tillage on soil bacterial communities. Bacterial communities were characterized from fresh biosolids, biosolid aggregates embedded in soil, and soil after a second application of biosolids using high-throughput amplicon sequencing. Biosolid application significantly affected bacterial communities, even 4 years after their application. Bacteria in the families Clostridiaceae, Norcardiaceae, Anaerolinaceae, Dietziaceae, and Planococcaceae were more abundant in fresh biosolids, biosolid aggregates, and soils treated with biosolids than in synthetically fertilized soils. Taxa identified as Turcibacter, Dietzia, Clostridiaceae, and Anaerolineaceae were highly abundant in biosolid aggregates in the soil and likely originated from the biosolids. In contrast, Oxalobacteriaceae, Streptomyceteaceae, Janthinobacterium, Pseudomonas, Kribbella, and Bacillus were rare in the fresh biosolids, but relatively abundant in biosolid aggregates in the soil, and probably originated from the soil to colonize the substrate. However, tillage had relatively minor effects on bacterial communities, with only a small number of taxa differing in relative abundance between traditional and conventional tillage. Although biosolid-associated bacteria persisted in soil, potentially pathogenic taxa were extremely rare and no toxin genes for key groups (Salmonella, Clostridium) were detectable, suggesting that although fecal contamination was apparent via indicator taxa, pathogen populations had declined to low levels. Thus, biosolid amendments had profound effects on soil bacterial communities both by introducing gut- or digester-derived bacteria and by enriching potentially beneficial indigenous soil populations.

The use of wastes (organic and inorganic) in land restoration in relation to their characteristics and cost

The great extent of degraded soils in southeast Spain makes it necessary to carry out restoration and rehabilitation strategies. In addition, the great amount of wastes produced need to be properly managed. Several types of wastes and amendments (organic and inorganic) can be applied for soil rehabilitation and land restoration. When large areas must be restored several aspects should be considered, such as availability of the waste, its characteristics, and transport. This research focuses on the characterization and the cost of 12 waste types and amendments (such as sewage sludge compost, brown peat, black peat, fertilized peat, earthworm humus, straw hay, palm tree leaves, pine bark, exfoliated vermiculite, expanded perlite, limestone outcrops, and volcanic crushed stones) obtained from four different sources. All of them were characterized following the UNE standards for soil amendments and the cost was obtained as a mean value of four different sources. The results indicate a great variability of properties between organic and inorganic materials, as was expected. Depending on the type of restoration, the characteristics, and the cost, the materials can be selected for an adequate purpose. Sewage sludge compost is a good alternative for application in large areas related to its characteristics (organic matter content and nutrient availability) and low cost. For inorganic amendments, natural limestone outcrops were the low-cost alternative. The use of both wastes (composted sewage sludge and limestone raw materials) for soil rehabilitation can facilitate the reduction of landfill disposal and add value for these wastes. Moreover, the results are very useful for scientists and engineers who deal with the development of rehabilitation and restoration strategies.

Soil-transmitted helminth infections associated with wastewater and sludge reuse: a review of current evidence

OBJECTIVE

To review current evidence on infections related to the concentration of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) eggs in wastewater, sludge and vegetables irrigated with wastewater or grown on sludge-amended soils.

METHOD

Search of Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed and Google Scholar databases for publications reporting on STH egg concentration in wastewater, sludge and vegetables and for epidemiological studies on wastewater/sludge reuse and STH infections.

RESULTS

STH egg concentrations were variable but high in wastewater and sludge especially in developing countries. They ranged from 6 to 16 000 eggs/L in wastewater and from 0 to 23 000 eggs/g in sludge and far exceed limits set in the WHO guideline for wastewater/sludge reuse. Numbers of STH eggs on vegetables ranged from 0 to 100 eggs/g. The concentration of STH eggs in wastewater, sludge and vegetables therefore relates to risks of infection through different exposure routes.

CONCLUSION

Epidemiological evidence reveals an increased prevalence of STH infections associated with direct exposure to wastewater or sludge (farmers) and consumption of vegetables grown on soil treated with it. This calls for increased efforts to reduce the adverse health impact of wastewater and sludge reuse in line with the WHO multi-barrier approach.

Concentration of soil-transmitted helminth eggs in sludge from South Africa and Senegal: A probabilistic estimation of infection risks associated with agricultural application

The use of sludge in agriculture has been encouraged as a means of increasing soil nutrient content and improving the water holding capacity. On the negative side, major public health concerns with sludge application prevail, mainly due to the high concentration of pathogenic microorganisms. Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are of major health concern in this regard, especially in endemic regions, mainly due to the high environmental resistant of the eggs combined with a low infectious dose. In this study the concentration of STH eggs in two months dried sludge from Durban, South Africa and Dakar, Senegal was determined and compared. Sampling was carried out from January to October 2016 and in September 2016 for Dakar. Ascaris spp, hookworm, Trichuris spp, Taenia spp and Toxocara spp were the commonly recorded STH eggs. STH egg concentrations were higher in Dakar than in Durban, with viable STH egg concentrations exceeding both local and international guidelines. Due to the high concentration of viable STH eggs, risks of Ascaris spp infection was very high for farmers applying this sludge on their farms in both Durban (7.9 × 10-1 (±1.7 × 10-2)) and Dakar (9.9 × 10-1 (±1.3 × 10-5)). Consumption of lettuce grown on sludge amended soil will result in probable infections but harvest after 30 days between sludge application and harvest in Durban gave median probability infection risks with a risk level similar to the WHO tolerable risk value (10-4). This time period need to be prolonged to harvest in Dakar to 40 days to reduce the risks of infection to the tolerable risks values. Further treatment of the sludge either through composting or drying for longer periods of time is thus recommended from a public health perspective.

Assessing the probability of infection by Salmonella due to sewage sludge use in agriculture under several exposure scenarios for crops and soil ingestion

A deeper understanding about the risks involved in sewage sludge practice in agriculture is required. The aims of the present study were to determine the annual risk of infection of consuming lettuce, carrots and tomatoes cultivated in soil amended with sewage sludge. The risk to agricultural workers of accidental ingestion of sludge or amended soil was also investigated. A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment was conducted based on Salmonella concentrations from five WWTPs were used to estimate the probability of annual infection associated with crops and soil ingestion. The risk of infection was estimated for nine exposure scenarios considering concentration of the pathogen, sewage sludge dilution in soil, variation of Salmonella concentration in soil, soil attachment to crops, seasonal average temperatures, hours of post-harvesting exposure, Salmonella regrowth in lettuce and tomatoes, Salmonella inhibition factor in carrots, crop ingestion and frequency of exposure, sludge/soil ingestion by agricultural workers and frequency of exposure. Annual risks values varied across the scenarios evaluated. Highest values of annual risk were found for scenarios in which the variation in the concentration of Salmonella spp. in both soil and crops (scenario 1) and without variation in the concentration of Salmonella spp. in soil and variation in crops (scenario 3) ranging from 10(-3) to 10(-2) for all groups considered. For agricultural workers, the highest annual risks of infection were found when workers applied sewage sludge to agricultural soils (2.26×10(-2)). Sensitivity analysis suggests that the main drivers for the estimated risks are Salmonella concentration and ingestion rate. These risk values resulted from conservative scenarios since some assumptions were derived from local or general studies. Although these scenarios can be considered conservative, the sensitivity analysis yielded the drivers of the risks, which can be useful for managing risks from the fresh products chain with stakeholders' involvement.

Soil Aggregate Dynamics and Plant Community Response after Biosolids Application in a Semiarid Grassland

Biosolids may improve the ecological function of degraded semiarid grasslands, but an understanding of the plant community is essential. An experiment was established in 2001 to determine the effects of a single surface application of biosolids on soil aggregate stability and the composition of the plant community in a semiarid grassland in British Columbia, Canada. Four treatments were evaluated: (i) surface biosolids application at 20 (Bio-20) and (ii) 60 Mg ha (Bio-60), (iii) mineral fertilizer, and (iv) a control. All treatments were replicated in four blocks. Soil was sampled during the spring (May), summer (June-July), and fall (October) in 2005, 2006, and 2009; the plant community was assessed in 2009. The greatest increases in size of stable aggregates relative to the control were in the spring and summer, which coincided with a 1.6- to 2.1-fold increase in the spring concentration of N within stable aggregates when biosolids were applied at 20 and 60 Mg ha , respectively. Nitrogen concentrations from the Bio-60 treatment were not different from the control, but the Bio-20 treatment had 42% greater N than all other treatments during summer. Biosolids application in this ecosystem did not increase perennial forage grass species relative to the control, and when biosolids were applied at a rate of 60 Mg ha there was a 75% reduction in the perennial forage plant species. The application of biosolids to native grasslands in semiarid environments should be done cautiously, especially when winter annual plant species (e.g., cheatgrass [ L.]) are present before application.

Determining pathogen and indicator levels in class B municipal organic residuals used for land application

Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic residuals that are currently used to amend soils for food production. Treatment requirements to inactivate pathogens for production of Class A biosolids are energy intensive. One less energy intensive alternative is to treat biosolids to Class B standards, but it could result in higher pathogen loads. Quantitative microbial risk assessments models have been developed on land application of Class B biosolids but contain many uncertainties because of limited data on specific pathogen densities and the use of fecal indicator organisms as accurate surrogates of pathogen loads. To address this gap, a 12-mo study of the levels and relationships between , , and human adenovirus (HAdV) with fecal coliform, somatic, and F-RNA coliphage levels in Class B biosolids from nine wastewater treatment plants throughout the United States was conducted. Results revealed that fecal coliform, somatic, and F-RNA coliphage densities were consistent throughout the year. More important, results revealed that HAdV ( = 2.5 × 10 genome copies dry g) and ( = 4.14 × 10 cysts dry g) were in all biosolids samples regardless of treatment processes, location, or season. oocysts were also detected (38% positive; range: 0-1.9 × 10 oocysts dry g), albeit sporadically. Positive correlations among three fecal indicator organisms and HAdV, but not protozoa, were also observed. Overall, this study reveals that high concentrations of enteric pathogens (e.g., , , and HAdV) are present in biosolids throughout the United States. Microbial densities found can further assist management and policymakers in establishing more accurate risk assessment models associated with land application of Class B biosolids.

Degraded water reuse: an overview

Communities around the world face increasingly severe fresh water supply shortages, largely due to expanding populations and associated food supply, economic development, and health issues. Intentional reuse of degraded waters (e.g., wastewater effluents, irrigation return flows, concentrated animal feeding operations [CAFO] effluents, stormwater, and graywater) as substitutes for fresh waters could be one solution to the challenge. We describe the various degraded water types and reuse options and limitations and restrictions to their use. Emphasis is given to reuse scenarios involving degraded water applications to soil. The potential for degraded water reuse is enormous, but significant barriers exist to widespread adoption. Barriers include research questions (some addressable by traditional soil science approaches, but others requiring novel techniques and advanced instrumentation), the lack of unifying national regulations, and public acceptance. Educational programs, based on hard science developed from long-term field studies, are imperative to convince the public and elected officials of the wisdom and safety of reusing degraded waters.

Environmental impacts and sustainability of degraded water reuse

Greater urban demand for finite water resources to meet domestic, agricultural, industrial, and recreational needs; increased frequency of drought resulting from erratic weather; and continued degradation of available water resources from point and nonpoint sources of pollution have focused attention on the reuse of degraded waters as a potential water source. However, short- and long-term detrimental environmental impacts and sustainability of degraded water reuse are not well known or understood. These concerns led to the organization of the 2007 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Symposium entitled Environmental Impacts and Sustainability of Degraded Water Reuse. Out of this symposium came a special collection of 4 review papers and 12 technical research papers focusing on various issues associated with the reuse of agricultural drainage water, well water generated in the production of natural gas from coalbeds, municipal wastewater and biosolids, wastewater from confined animal operations, urban runoff, and food-processing wastewater. Overviews of the papers, gaps in knowledge, and future research directions are presented. The future prognosis of degraded water reuse is promising, provided close attention is paid to managing constituents that pose short- and long-term threats to the environment and the health of humankind.