In the countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa, reclaimed wastewater is recognized as a non-conventional water resource. However, substandial amounts are still discharged into water courses without further treatment. The objective of this research was to analyse the technological, regulatory, institutional, financial and socio-cultural opportunities, seen as incentives; and the constraints, perceived as disincentives, which influence the adoption of wastewater treatment and reuse. Fieldwork was carried out in Jordan and Tunisia, countries which have made great strides in raising the proportion of re-used wastewater. Unexpectedly, farmers and customers proved well-prepared to use reclaimed water in irrigation, and to buy crops raised in the irrigated fields. Abu-Madi stresses the need for raising the price of freshwater, reflecting its true scarcity, thus creating a stronger incentive to utilise reclaimed wastewater.

This study investigates the use of constructed wetlands as a cheaper and more effective alternative method of treating domestic wastewater in tropical environments. This book determines the technical viability of the model, with respect to treatment performance under different operating conditions and the economic competitiveness of technology in Uganda and across the region. The Pilot Constructed Wetland investigated in this study was situated at the National Water and Swerage Corporation's Jinja Sewage Works at Kirinya, Uganda. The study revealed the economic viability of constructed wetland systems in the tropical regions. These could be established at competitive costs with waste stabilisation ponds.