Strategic planning for exchanging treated urban wastewater for agricultural water with the approach of supplying sustainable urban water: a case study of Mashhad, Iran

Abstract Considering the increasing demand for urban water and low water-use efficiency in agricultural sector, an exchange of treated wastewater could be a fundamental solution administering sustainable management resources. However, implementing intersectoral project is influenced by economic, social, environmental conditions each region, especially developing countries. Therefore, this study sought to identify best possible strategies exchanging Mashhad city, located Iran, country that suffers from decreased Based on interviews conducted with experts strengths, weaknesses, opportunities threats analysis, 28 influential factors were identified project, eleven developed its implementation. The results analytic hierarchy process (AHP) F-TOPSIS indicated organizing educational awareness campaigns regarding project's goals, devising appropriate organizational structure, enhancing wastewater's quality according WHO standards, taking necessity conducting cultural, economic studies into account, consumers' programs, supporting, training, counseling farmers setting required incentives them among main involved implementation Mashhad.