1. Introduction

Wastewater usage for irrigation is increasingly being practised in developing about 7% of the total irrigated land. Wastewater contains numerous potentially pathogenic microorganisms and a high content of organic matter; therefore, it poses a number of health risks [1–3].

Indirect use of untreated wastewater is one of the most common and extensive types of unintentional wastewater reuse [4–8]; this occurs when untreated wastewater is discharged into freshwater streams, gets diluted and subsequently used by farmers, households and industries. This is a common practice in low- and middleincome countries without or with limited collecting and treatment capacity. There are many pathogenic microorganisms which will always be present in partially treated or untreated wastewater and sewage sludge [9].

This work was primarily aimed to assess the efficiency of the STPs in Mysore in removal of pollutants and microbial pathogens with respect to coliform bacteria to

the level set by the FAO, WHO, IBS and CPCB for agricultural and other uses. Secondly, the study tried to evaluate the effect the raw and treated wastewater on the germination and growth of seedlings.
