Pesticides in Recycled Water: What Are the Issues?

Societal pressures for improved water management are driving many producers to use recycled production water for nursery irrigation. The same need is also resulting in improved irrigation practices. Irrigation effluent is known to carry pesticides and other contaminants. These contaminants will be captured in recycling reservoirs if effluent is not treated before entering. Improved irrigation management can result in increased concentration of contaminants in effluent although total load may be reduced. Depending on the pesticide and reservoir management, pesticides can be reintroduced onto crops and/or accumulate in reservoir sediments. Impacts of reservoir overflow must be taken into consideration as well. The implications of pesticides in sediments, recycled water, and overflow will be discussed in this presentation.