Assessing technical and social driving factors of water reuse in agriculture: A review on risks, regulation and the yuck factor

Abstract

The narrative of reusing water for agricultural purposes is sometimes conceived as being one of the reasons versus emotions, which might not capture the complexity of the issue at hand, including the legitimate fear of risks, diffuse regulations and the visceral reactions from farmers and the public. By analysing recent peer-reviewed literature (2007–2017) from a holistic approach (technical and social issues), this review explores: 1) the main characteristics of the reviewed literature on this topic (geographical contexts, research areas, main topics and tools), 2) relevant driving factors to effectively reconcile farmers’ needs and public perceptions of water reuse, and 3) the current knowledge gaps and future challenges to be addressed by end users, managers and authorities. The article concludes by discussing the level of the knowledge in this area and advanced recommendations to further a better comprehension of technical and social driving factors of water reuse in agriculture.