The environmental effects of using poor quality groundwater as a source of supply for irrigation have been studied. Two irrigation projects were monitored during a seven year period. The projects were located south-west of Donavon and south-east of Watrous in the province of Saskatchewan. The water supplies for the projects were obtained from the Tyner Valley and the Hatfield Valley aquifers, respectively. The quality of water from these formations is considered marginally suitable for irrigation. The purpose of the investigation was to monitor the impacts of irrigating with poor quality groundwater on the source aquifers, on the domestic water supplies near the sites, and on the quality of the irrigated soils.The piezometric level of the Tyner aquifer has declined and will continue to decline, if the current irrigation demand is maintained. There has not been a significant change in the hydraulic properties of the Tyner formation. The Hatfield Valley aquifer at the Watrous site can supply the irrigation demand with few adverse effects.Contamination of shallow aquifers underlying both sites has not become apparent. The quality of the irrigated soils has declined; however, the effects have not been severe or widespread. A general decrease in the productivity of the sites due to increasing soil salinity is not expected, despite the lack of an adequate leaching program. Continued success of these projects is possible, if the current management strategies are maintained.
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