The safe use of Marginal Quality Water in Agriculture
A Guide for the Water Resource Planner
Water scarcity is a major issue in many areas of the world. Good quality water supplies are insufficient to meet rising demands from agriculture, municipal use and industry but using water of marginal quality can increase available water resources for agriculture. However, pollutants found in these sources can pose a serious threat to soils, crops and human health if they are not adequately managed. The Guide sets out methods and procedures to assess the risk and develop management strategies to use marginal quality water.
Background
To plan for successful integration of marginal quality water sources into agricultural water use policy, planners must be aware of the associated dangers and available management options. Informed decision making is essential to success. Different strategies must be evaluated and their impacts assessed so that maximum benefit is derived from marginal quality water resources.

The Guide
Guidelines and procedures are set out assisting planners and managers to:

  • Increase water resources available for agricultural production in a region.
  • Plan for long-term, sustainable agricultural production in a region.
  • Avoid or minimise threats posed to human health through contact with water supplies used for agricultural purposes.
What it covers
Users are guided through the steps required to identify and assess potential marginal quality water supplies. They are then provided with the tools to evaluate impacts on crops, soils and human health in the region. Different management options are presented to maintain long-term, sustainable agriculture, together with the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Specifically the guide gives information on:
  • Identifying primary sources of marginal quality water, likely pollutants and their associated dangers.
 

  • Assessing the potential of a marginal quality water source for sustainable agricultural production.
  • Determining the hazards to humans through use of marginal quality water for irrigation.
  • Assessing the risk of soil degradation.
  • Predicting long-term soil pollutant accumulation.
  • Determining the long-term effects on crop yield.
  • Different management options for marginal quality water.
    • The guide is an impact assessment tool for irrigated agriculture with marginal quality water allowing evaluation of the likely effects on sustainable agriculture and human health, and consideration of the benefits of alternate management options. It is recommended that each marginal quality water source is tested for all pollutants included in this guide. Further analysis and action should then be undertaken depending on the range of pollutants present.

    Contributors
    HR Wallingford Ltd, UK

    Intended users
    The guide is intended for use at the project planning stage of the project cycle. It is aimed at water resource planners and managers seeking to incorporate water of marginal quality for agricultural production. It may also be used by agricultural training departments, land development agencies, environmental impact assessors and as an educational tool.

    Abbott, CL and Hasnip, NJ, 1997. The safe use of marginal quality water in agriculture - A guide for the water resource planner. HR Wallingford, UK. Report no. OD140.

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    Available at: http://www.dfid-kar-water.net/w5outputs.html
    For CD-ROM or a hard copy contact:
    International Development Group, HR Wallingford Ltd, Howbery Park, Oxon, OX10 8BA, UK
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