**3. Method of work**

This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Sampling of wastewater treatment plant effluent in order to determine the required parameters for quality determination in the two cold seasons of autumn and winter 2013 and hot spring and summer 2013 in order to influence the maximum and minimum ambient temperature conditions on the performance of the treatment plant and finally the quality of the effluent. It was done monthly. The samples were prepared in composite form at 6 hour intervals (four times a day) and after the required protection, they were transferred to the laboratory. Samples related to microbial tests were collected in sterile containers and kept at a temperature of four degrees Celsius and transported to the laboratory. The samples related to heavy metal testing were transferred to the laboratory by adding nitric acid and bringing the pH below two. Also, the COD test samples were transferred to the laboratory by adding sulfuric acid and bringing the pH below 2. Some parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH were determined with portable devices on site. All experiments were performed based on the methods recommended in the 2005 standard method book (**Figure 2**). In order to determine health risks, microbial indicators (total coliforms and feces) and heavy metals cadmium, lead, and copper were quantified in terms of their importance. BOD5 and COD parameters were measured to determine the amount of organic substances in the effluent. The analysis of the results was done in the Excel environment, and the statistical indicators including the mean and standard deviation were obtained. It is possible to make a decision about the usability of wastewater in different options based on the results of the tests conducted on the wastewater and comparison with the standards. Various standards for using wastewater in different fields have been provided by international organizations such as EPA, WHO, NAS, and FAO, as well as the quality standards of Jordan for the use of treated domestic wastewater in irrigation. In our country, the standard for the use of wastewater in agriculture and irrigation has been provided by the Environmental Protection Organization. The analysis is based on *Investigating Issues and Problems of Using Sewage Effluent in Agriculture DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108636*

**Figure 2.** *Sampling and preparation of wastewater samples to send to the laboratory.*

existing standards including WHO (World Health Organization), EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency), IRNDOE (Iranian Environmental Protection Organization), NAS (US National Academy of Sciences), FAO (World Food Organization), JORS (Jordanian Environmental Standard), and the vice president of strategic planning and supervision.
