Impact of wastewater-irrigated urban agriculture on diarrhea incidence in Ahmedabad, India

A study in Ahmedabad, India, found that wastewater-irrigated urban agriculture significantly increases the incidence of diarrhea among farming households. The research compared Escherichia coli concentrations and diarrheal disease risk across three irrigation water sources: groundwater, surface water, and wastewater. Wastewater showed the highest E. coli levels (4.02 × 109 per 100 mL), far exceeding international standards, with corresponding diarrhea incidence rates of 13.1 episodes per 1,000 person-weeks—more than double that of groundwater-irrigated areas (7.92 episodes). The study, conducted over 12 months in 187 households, used a case-cohort design and bimonthly health diaries to document water quality and health outcomes. The findings highlight the urgent need for safer irrigation practices in urban agriculture to protect public health.

Falkenberg, T., & Saxena, D. (2018). Impact of wastewater-irrigated urban agriculture on diarrhea incidence in Ahmedabad, India. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 43(2), 102. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_192_17