New tool helps manage irrigation water quality

Managing irrigation water quality to sustain crop production and deliver positive environmental outcomes is in sight with a new Water Quality Calculator.

Developed by CSIRO Plant Industry and the Cotton Catchment Communities Cooperative Research Centre, the Water Quality Calculator allows irrigators to assess the quality of their water and take steps to improve it.

Mr Dirk Richards led the team in Narrabri to develop the Water Quality Calculator, now available free on the internet in response to cotton industry requests.

The Water Quality Calculator can determine the salinity, Sodium Adsorption Ratio and pH of irrigation water when different sources of water are combined.

Irrigators can then compare these figures with the Australian and New Zealand Water Quality Guidelines to determine if the water is suitable for different irrigation purposes and if there are any potential detrimental effects on crop or pasture yield.

Decisions can then be made on use of water, how to mix water from different sources to reduce any potential impacts, and begin to develop long term strategies for farm irrigation management.

The Water Quality Calculator can be found on the web at: www.cotton.crc.org.au/CottonLOGIC/WQC.

The Water Quality Calculator was developed with support from the Cotton Research and Development Corporation and Cotton Catchment Communities Cooperative Research Centre. Dr Vivienne McNeal, Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water, provided additional expert advice.

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