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Agricultural Water QualityWater quality is a key environmental issue facing the agricultural sector and is also important for every agricultural use, from such activities as irrigation to livestock watering to safe household water on farms. Agricultural water sources may be poor quality as a result of natural causes, contamination or both, and often require improvement before it is acceptable for a given use. Agricultural water quality is usually improved using a series of steps. This is called a multiple barrier approach. The first barrier is watershed management or protection. Other barriers are water source management or enhancement, water treatment designed to deal with the problems, and regular water quality testing or monitoring. AAFC-PFRA's approach to agricultural water issues focuses on protection, enhancement and treatment of rural water supplies in order to protect the environment and improve agricultural productivity. The publication Ensuring the Safety of Small Rural Water Systems provides an overview of water quality issues facing the agri-food and rural sector, and summarizes AAFC-related projects investigating rural water management solutions. Related informationRural Water Quality and You - Community SourcesRural Water Quality and You - Individual Supplies Rural Water Quality and You - Rural Pipelines Ensuring the Safety of Small Rural Water Systems Algae, cyanobacteria and water quality Domestic water quality Prairie water quality problems A Prairie-wide perspective of non-point agricultural effects on water quality Prairie water quality testing laboratories Water quality requirements for Saskatchewan's agri-food industry Water quality testing External linksHealth of our waterThreats to sources of drinking water and aquatic ecosystem health Nutrients in the environment Canadian Water Quality Guidelines (CWQGs) Water Quality ProtectionAll water - both surface and groundwater - is subject to contamination. Improper agricultural practices can result in biological, chemical or physical contamination of a water supply. This potential contamination is of concern on the Prairies. Contamination may result from disease-causing micro-organisms or pathogens found animal manure, pesticides used in crop production, hazardous products such as fuel or oil, pharmaceuticals used in animal production, sediment from soil erosion, etc. Improperly applied fertilizers, unmanaged runoff of animal waste and direct livestock watering are a few possible water contamination sources. AAFC-PFRA promotes beneficial management practices (BMPs) which improve surface and groundwater quality. Related informationUsing Field Chemistry Kits for Monitoring Nutrients in Surface WaterRiparian Grazing and Off-stream Livestock Watering Robocow - Operation H2O Robocow - The Aquifer Connection Agricultural best management practices Alternatives to direct access livestock watering Muskrat control in farm dugouts Nutrient management planning Protecting your water Pest management and water quality Riparian area management Soil texture and water quality Winter watering for livestock Watershed Evaluation of BMPs (WEBs) Water Quality EnhancementEnhancement of water sources can solve water quality problems by assisting nature in purifying water resources and extending the life of existing wells and dugouts (farm ponds). This option is becoming more popular as the costs of developing new water sources increase. An example of source enhancement is dugout aeration which is not only effective but is also inexpensive to implement. Many types of preventive maintenance practices are possible for wells. Periodic shock chlorination can be used to protect water quality from deterioration. For more information about treatment of water well problems, visit the Sustainable Water Well Initiative (SWWI) pages. Related informationUse of Barley Straw for Algal Control in Prairie Dugouts (Executive Summary, HTML) (Full Report, PDF)Barley straw for Algae Control in farm ponds Copper treatment for dugouts (PMRA Information Bulletin) Dugout aeration Flash animation Dugout covers Dugout coagulation How to aerate your dugout Myths about dugout aeration Solar powered dugout aeration Why aerate your dugout? Basic electric aeration installation details and standard aeration drawings: (pdf files) small single diaphragm; small dual diaphragm; Koenders compressors; installation components; bleeder device options; diffuser connection 1; diffuser connection 2; condensation tank construction Research paper about performance characteristics of aeration devices Dugout aeration system operation(1,174Kb pdf) Electric powered air compressors for dugout aeration (246Kb pdf) Water TreatmentDeveloping innovative new water treatment strategies and demonstrating technologies to rural clients is critical for improving rural water quality. AAFC-PFRA investigates, researches and promotes innovative small-scale water treatment processes to improve water quality for rural users. Appropriate water treatment depends both on the original water quality and the intended water use. The water quality requirements for the agri-food sector (livestock watering, irrigation, horticulture, chemical mixing, food and non-food processing, domestic), as well as the properties and characteristics of the source water, determine the type, and degree, of water treatment necessary. Related informationChlorine Disinfection for Private Water Supplies for Household and Agricultural UsesMaintaining Safe Domestic Water Quality with On-farm Cisterns and Water Tanks Water treatment Flash animations Approaches to water treatment Aluminium and health Biological treatment of surface water Biological treatment of ground water Evaluation of treatment systems Coagulation beaker test On-Farm coagulation Commercial coagulation systems How to coagulate a dugout or cell Chemicals for on-farm coagulation Water treatment trailer Slow Sand Filter Quality Water for Agricultural ProductivityWater quality can impact agricultural productivity. Agricultural producers are realizing that improved water quality can increase productivity and reduce costs of maintenance of water distribution systems. Results of applied research have found that there is a benefit from using quality water suited to the agricultural demand. For example, it has been shown that cattle drinking water of poor quality gain less weight or may have poor health, so an adequate supply of good quality water is crucial to the livestock industry. Related informationThe Effects of Water Quality on Cattle Weight Gain (462Kb pdf)Agricultural Industry and water quality Farm chemical spraying and mixing water quality Field irrigation and water quality Irrigation and salinity Livestock and water quality Water quality and cattle Water quality and micro-irrigation for horticulture Winter watering for livestock Solar-powered water pumping systems for livestock watering See also: Livestock watering. For more information:
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