Renewable Energy Approach for Wastewater Reuse in Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetlands and Solar Powered Drip Irrigation Systems in the Caribbean: A Case Study in the Caroni River Basin, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

<p dir="ltr"><i>Water and wastewater management is a vital topic that commands attention and action through various initiatives, including reuse, recycling, reclamation, and restoration. These strategies are essential for promoting responsible water utilisation, treatment, and disposal. We have made significant strides in establishing a national standard for wastewater reuse, as demonstrated by the Cabinet-approved National Voluntary Wastewater Reuse Standard TTS 664-2022. In response to the anticipated rise in irrigation demand driven by agricultural needs, this study will rigorously evaluate effective approaches using permeable geotextile materials and filter media, including Coated Chitosan (CS), Coconut Shell Activated Carbon (CAC), biochar-based filters, and Construction Waste Gravel. The study aims to create a Wastewater Reuse Prototype (WWR) for evaluating wastewater treatment efficiency and significantly reducing water pollution. This research will showcase the application of vertical-flow constructed wetlands, utilising Phragmite Australis, for treating municipal wastewater. The main goal is to comprehensively assess the system's ability to remove pollutants and facilitate nitrification. A solar-powered automated drip irrigation (SPDI) system will be introduced and designed for watering lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) crops. Conclusive evaluations will confirm that the employed technologies are suitable for water reclamation in agricultural applications. These approaches will be supplemented with appropriate irrigation methods to reach environmentally safe and sustainable objectives. Our study will also include extensive analyses of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) and Willingness to Pay (WTP) to bolster the national voluntary standard for wastewater reuse and guide the implementation of effective strategies for treated wastewater and water management.</i></p>