Farmers’ Experience, Concerns and Perspectives in Using Reclaimed Water for Irrigation in a Semi‐Arid Region of Crete, Greece

Public acceptance is recognized as an important ingredient for success in any recycling project. In case of reuse of treated wastewater for crop irrigation, farmers are the key stakeholders, being in a position to accept or reject reclaimed water. During this study, a survey was conducted to determine the perceptions and experience of farmers in a semi‐arid region of Crete, Greece, where a wastewater reuse scheme has already been in operation for about a decade in irrigating olive orchards. Results show that a high proportion (77.4%) of the respondents view the reclaimed water positively for olive tree irrigation. On the other hand, a very low proportion was found for all the other irrigation options, with 7.9% for vegetables, 9.1% for vines and 25.8% for ornamental plants. Irrigation with reclaimed water had a positive impact on olive trees and soil according to about 56 and 40% of respondents respectively. Approximately 46% of farmers expressed willingness to pay for reclaimed water, while 94% of respondents suggested a price of up to €0.15 m −3 . A clear correlation was found between levels of trust in the local authority responsible for the scheme and the farmers’ attitude towards reclaimed water.