Urgent Practices

Consideration of nitrate content in irrigation water, proper well abandonment and maintenance, and wellhead protection are considered priority practices for minimizing nitrate leaching to groundwater under the ILRP.

NEW: Documentos en español/Documents available in Spanish.

 

Irrigation Water Nitrogen Calculator

Nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium N) in irrigation water is as readily available to crops as N in chemical fertilizers. So, when growers account for N in irrigation water, they can reduce rates of fertilizer N application. This calculator converts nitrate and ammonium found in irrigation water, as measured by a laboratory or other method, into pounds of N applied per acre. A fact sheet is available here. En español: Calculadora de nitrógeno para agua de riego.

 

Well Destruction/Abandonment Practices

Improperly abandoned or maintained wells can transmit contaminants from the surface into groundwater and can also be a safety hazard. This handout provides information about the destruction of abandoned wells and maintenance of inactive wells.  A fact sheet is available here. En español: Pozos abandonados y pozoz inactivos.

 

Well Head Protection Practices

Wellhead protection practices help prevent the movement of contaminants into a well. Unprotected wellheads can transmit contaminants from the surface into groundwater. This handout provides information about practices for wellhead protection and well maintenance. A fact sheet is available here. En español: Protección de los cabezales de pozo.