Abstract
The primary objective of using moderately saline water for irrigation, including reclaimed municipal effluent, is to conserve potable water, and its impact on quality of landscapes or the costs of landscape maintenance have received lesser attention. The experience in the Southwest indicates that when salinity of irrigation water is less than approximately 750 ppm or sodium (Na) and Chloride (Cl) concentrations are less than 150 mg L-1, landscape degradation caused by salts is minimal, except in areas with poorly permeable soils. When salinity or Na and Cl concentrations exceed these threshold values, however, salt-induced landscape degradation has been more frequent and intense than previously thought. This presentation outlines the types of problems encountered, and the key requirements for improving reuse practices based on the experiences in west Texas and southern New Mexico where water of elevated salinity (up to 3000 ppm) is used for irrigation.
Comments
Abstracts of presentations given on Tuesday, 18 July 2006, in session 8 of the UCOWR Conference.