When looking at the domestic wastewater streams, from freshwater source to destination in an agricultural field, we are confronted with a complexity of issues that need careful attention. Social and economic realities arise, along with technical, biological and institutional issues. Local realities are linked to the geophysical environment, economic development and cultural context and may have an overriding impact on the necessity, enthusiasm and willingness to adopt a policy to place wastewater irrigation on the agenda as an option to save water, to fight environmental pollution and to support agricultural production. It is, therefore, not realistic to propose a design for wastewater use in irrigation that is globally applicable. Yet, considering the issues raised, it is increasingly feasible and informative to present a conceptual framework that should help to structure information and design options. Such a framework guides the designer as well as the researcher and acts as an instrument to keep an overview on alternative options, while local realities will be a reason for different design decisions