Public Acceptance of Treated Wastewater Reuse in the Agricultural Sector in Saudi Arabia

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript entitled “Public Acceptance of Reusing Tertiary Treated Wastewater in Agriculture in Saudi Arabia” by Fahad Alzahrani and his colleagues was completely revised. The manuscript deals with studying the examines of public acceptance of reusing tertiary treated wastewater for agricultural purposes in Saudi Arabia. The the work seems to be completed but needs some improvements. I recommend accepted for publication after minor revision.

Comments

1.      The keyword should be revised to be more specific

2.      English Language should be polished and there are typical errors throughout the whole manuscript.

3- Feasibility studies should be provided

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Moderate editing of English language required

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Review Report

The manuscript entitled “Public Acceptance of Reusing Tertiary Treated Wastewater in
Agriculture in Saudi Arabia” contributes the knowledge in the field of reuse of treated wastewater.

Treated wastewater reuse is increasingly important for sustainable water resource management, especially in water-stressed countries located in the world’s arid regions that rely on groundwater and desalination process for meeting their water demands.

General Comments

This study investigates the socio-demographic variables influencing public perceptions of reusing treated wasteater. The presented research work is satisfactory. But I have suggested the following points to improve the work.

Specific Comments

Title can be rephrased as "Public acceptability of treated wastewater reuse in agriculture sector of Saudi Arabia" that is more precise and representing clear understanding of the manuscript.

In abstract also add the other significant results of the study.

Research significance and future work are missing in the abstract.

Keywords should be replaced with more relevant keywords.

First introduce the topic following the background. Then explain the importance of research, hypothesis and objectives. Rewrite the introduction without headings and figures.

In introduction also replace the old references with latest references.

Detailed methodology should be given. In methodology section please add the description of the study area. Authors should also mention the education level of respondents in methodology section. Please explain on which basis sample size was decided?

I think results section should also include the awareness level of respondents about the chemical composition of treated and non treated wastewater.

Please improve the discussion section with the references of latest relevant conducted studies.

In conclusion please add more significant results of the study.

In text and detailed references are not given according to the journal guidelines, please follow that.

More proofreading of the manuscript is advised to remove typographical mistakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

 Minor editing of English language is required

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper does not seem suitable for publishing here

Only survey is presented here

No scientific data is presented which is a must for any research article

Very specific for the population of a specific country, not suitable for wide readership

Even characterization of wastewater is not give, how to understand its suitable for a population? only by a survey?

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Can be improved

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript of the article “Public Acceptance of Reusing Tertiary Treated Wastewater in Agriculture in Saudi Arabia” examines public acceptance of reusing tertiary treated wastewater for agricultural purposes in Saudi Arabia. The results show that 77% of the participants supported the reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture. However, less than half of the participants supported the reuse of treated wastewater for the other applications, especially for the irrigation of leafy green, raw, and cooked vegetables. This paper indicates the importance of raising public awareness about the safety of reusing tertiary treated wastewater in agriculture for water management in Saudi Arabia.

This paper is interesting in my point of view and my recommendation is to make a minor revision before publication in Sustainability.

Abstract: OK

Keyword: consider removing “Al-Ahsa Oasis”, and adding “Reuse”

Introduction is too long, please make some changes and rebalance for all sections.

Method: Participants were the important factor, but they were not identified clearly yet. Please provide more information of participants in this study.

Results:

- Line 249-258: is there any participant working in agriculture. This is not important.

- Table 1 and Table 2 need minor modification. Unit of Column 3 (Table 1) and Column 2 (Table 2) is not Frequency.

- Line 286-298: How do participants concern of water scarcity and health risk of reusing treated wastewater?

- Could not find Table 1A.

- Provide detail analyzed results instead of primary collected data in Table 1 & 2

- Line 308-309: Add Figure number and caption. Some purposes are not in agriculture --> Please group them into different category.

Discussion

-      Line 346: What do SIO stand for?

-      Citation style needs some changes

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 5 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors, this article entitled "Public Acceptance of Reusing Tertiary Treated Wastewater in Agriculture in Saudi Arabia" analyzed the acceptance of reuse of tertiary treated wastewater for agricultural purposes in Saudi Arabia. The topic is very interesting and analyzes a recent issue to reduce water stress.

If possibile consult this manuscript "Assessing the Sustainability of Photodegradation and Photocatalysis for Wastewater Reuse in an Agricultural Resilience Contex" on the waste water treament.

The article is well structured with a methodological, literature and statistical analysis part.

For a general improvent related to the statystical apllication, please jusrify the size of the sample considered.

Good manuscript, good quality.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf