Opportunities for Treatment and Reuse of Agricultural Drainage in the United States

Abstract

Irrigation accounts for 42% of the total freshwater withdrawals in the United States. Climate change, the pressure of a growing population, degrading water quality, and increased competition from other sectors could constrain continuous supply to meet future agricultural water demand. This study presents an evaluation framework to assess the potential reuse of agricultural drainage water for crop irrigation. Using a regional approach, we review the current state of agricultural drainage treatment and reuse and the institutional, economic, and other barriers that can influence the reuse decision. In the 31 eastern states, agricultural drainage contains valuable nutrients that can be reused for irrigation with minimal treatment, while the 17 western states struggle with large volumes of saline drainage that can contain constituents of concern (e.g., selenium), preventing reuse without treatment. Using a new decision-support tool called WaterTAP3, a potential treatment train for saline agricultural drainage was analyzed to identify treatment challenges, research needs, and the potential implementation at a larger scale. As demonstrated by our case study, desalination of agricultural drainage is costly and energy intensive and will require sizable investments to fully develop and optimize technologies as well as manage the generated waste and brine.

Sulphate Minimization in Agricultural Drainage Water Using Modified Rice Husk

“…ADW is the largest volume of agricultural wastewater. It contains valuable nutrients (nitrate and phosphate), excess salts and other toxicants [2]. Discharge of saline drainage water into natural water bodies reduces water quality, crop yields and soil microbial diversity.…”

“…This water can be captured and reused via cycling or blending as irrigation water [4]. Treatment and reuse of ADW is essential to meet the rising demand for water in agriculture and prevent environmental damages such as soil salinization, eutrophication, and other environmental pollution [2].…”

Safety and Technical Feasibility of Sustainable Reuse of Shale Gas Flowback and Produced Water after Advanced Treatment Aimed at Wheat Irrigation

“…After the completion of the hydraulic fracturing stage in shale gas operations, wastewater mainly returns to the surface as flowback water (the initial water that is recovered with shale gas) and produced water mostly comprising the natural deep formation water. − Therefore, FPW usually contains high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), organic matter (dissolved organic carbon; DOC), metals, hydrocarbons and other volatile compounds, some synthetic organic chemical additives, as well as some naturally occurring radioactive materials that may be present in the formation. − In recent years, the option of applying FPW directly or indirectly for agricultural irrigation has become a focus of growing discussion. , Small amounts of organic matter and micronutrient elements in municipal sewage and industrial wastewaters, at times also including rare earth elements (e.g., Ce), have been shown to promote the growth of some algae strains or higher plants under certain circumstances. − On the other hand, the salinity, alkalinity, and ionic composition of oilfield-produced water may significantly hinder its reuse in agriculture since these characteristics can cause nutrient imbalances, as well as osmotic and specific ion stress, in plant cells. , Methods of reusing produced water with minimal TDS treatment or upon dilution with freshwater for farmland irrigation are currently being applied in Kern County (California), but the complexity of FPW components can result in detrimental effects on humans and ecosystems …”

Quality Minimization of Agricultural Drainage Water for Irrigation Water Reuse Using Coconut Shell Activated Carbon

“…Drainage water quality reflects the source water quality, soil water constituents and agricultural chemicals applied to the soil being drained [11]. Drainage water emanating from some regions are a nutrient source (N and P), making direct reuse on-site with minimal treatment feasible and enhancing a closed and environmentally favourable nutrient cycle [12]. In other regions, drainage water contains critical constituents affecting plant and soil conditions during longterm application, preventing reuse without treatment [13].…”