Monitoring Irrigation Water Quality

Testing your irrigation water quality is important and should be done regularly.  Frequency of water samples is dependent on several factors. Growers should test their irrigation water at least twice a year if producing crops year round.  I know one grower that tests their water weekly!  At Hort Americas we are becoming inundated with fertilizer requests and nutritional recommendations.  The first question we’ll ask is “Do you have results from a recent irrigation water quality test?” If the answer is yes, great, please forward a copy of the results to us.  If the answer is no, please have your irrigation water quality tested.  Next question, “How do you sample your irrigation water?” Collecting water samples correctly is important to ensure the results are accurate. 

If you are not testing your irrigation water, why not!?!  That is one of the first things you should do before a single seed is sown. Why? Well, if you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.  On one hand, you could be undervaluing your irrigation water by adding unnecessary soluble nutrients. On the other hand, your irrigation water may be unsuitable for crop production and/or require additional treatment before use. What do I mean?  The irrigation water chemistry made need to be treated to remove or correct nutritional issues. Or, your irrigation water may have unwanted sediments that must first be filtered.  Entire books are written on irrigation, so we cannot cover everything in one edition of an e-newsletter.  For now, let’s first focus on collecting the irrigation water sample.  As you recall, last month I shared some videos on growing winter salad greens created by Dr. Brian Krug from the University of New Hampshire.  Once again, Dr. Krug has composed both a valuable how-to article and a video to help you correctly collect an irrigation water sample. 

Check out this article from October, 2012 or, watch another FloriCAST video by Dr. Brian Krug.

Irrigation Water Sampling Summary:

·         Have the right tools e.g. hose or spigot, bucket, collection bottle, paper towels, submission form, envelope etc.

·         Flush the water line/hose for at least 3 to 5 minutes

·         Fill collection bucket

·         Use a clean collection bottle/container (at least 8 ounces)

·         Submerge and fill the collection bottle and cap under water (no head space)

·         Complete a submission form (if provided by testing lab)

·         Dry and label the collection bottle accordingly

·         Deliver the envelope to the testing lab

·         Wait for results

·         Send Hort Americas a copy of your results J

For more information on irrigation water quality you may want to read the following extension publications.  Many state extension agencies have produced similar articles. These are simply two examples of such articles.  Check with your local extension specialist as they may have more information relevant to your geographic location.

• Irrigation Water forGreenhouses and Nurseries, University of Arkansas
• Water QualityManagement for Greenhouse Production, Auburn University

You may also want to visit the Water Education Alliance for Horticulture. The Water Education Alliance for Horticulture is a team of researchers and industry experts led by the University of Florida.  Their mission is to “help growers conserve irrigation water and manage water quality issues.”

Written by Dr. Johann Buck, Technical Service Manger at Hort Americas 

Posted by Maria Luitjohan  

Visit our corporate website at http://www.hortamericas.com