Establishing a statewide water quality database

The acidity, alkalinity and hardness of water used in spray applications can have a significant impact on the herbicide being used and researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are asking the help of growers in establishing a water hardness and pH database for the state.

Tommy Butts, extension weed scientist and assistant professor for the Division of Agriculture, said extension agents in every county are available to help growers collect one-liter samples.

In addition to testing for pH, agents will test for hardness—or the amount of dissolved calcium or magnesium—and record the water sample’s GPS coordinates. Samples will be analyzed at Division of Agriculture facilities. 

Butts said the goal of the research is to build a database of spray water quality in Arkansas. Once the results are analyzed, researchers will conduct studies to evaluate how water quality is affecting pesticide applications, and whether external adjustments can or should be made to improve the efficacy of pesticides.

Data from growers’ samples will be anonymized in the database, Butts said, and personal information will remain confidential. The GPS coordinates used to identify the location of specific samples will not be made public, but will be used to create a map depicting the general conditions of water throughout the state.

Producers interested in participating in the survey should contact their local CES office, or contact Butts directly at 501-804-7314 or [email protected].  A directory of county offices can be found at https://www.uaex.edu/counties/default.aspx.