Selection of the best method of wastewater reuse using analytical hierarchy process

Currently, most parts of the world face a serious water supply challenge, with limited access to freshwater resources of good quality. In addition to reducing the damage caused by the discharge of raw wastewater in the environment, wastewater treatment and re-use can help in providing one part of the water need. The use of wastewater for various purposes can have many social, economic, and environmental impacts if not managed properly, even though it is a tool against water shortage. This research by using a multi-criteria decision-making process is a comprehensive study of the effective criteria for the possibility of using wastewater for various purposes. Criteria include environmental, social, economic, and sub-criteria including water storage, reduction of pollutants discharged into the environment, health risks, cooperation between institutions and government, food security, public acceptance, wastewater quality, investment opportunities, revenue generation, feasibility. Combined with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique and pairwise comparisons and relies on the judgments our study shows that the best use of wastewater can be found in the agricultural, industrial, environmental, urban, impoundments, groundwater recharge sectors for non-drinkable usages and indirect usages for drinkable items. and non-volatile uses and indirect use for potable.