ARTICLE INDEX
Volume 1, Number 2
May 1991

WATER -- THE ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT
Water is the most important element in life. Some organisms can live without air, but no form of life has ever been found that can survive without water. From the world's earliest known history, people have always lived near rivers and lakes, where they had access to fresh water.

Nearly 60 percent of our body weight consists of water. Considering that adult bodies are nearly two-thirds water, this means that for a 150-pound person, 90 pounds, or 45 quarts, is water. We need to replace about 3 or 4 percent of ourselves each day. A loss of 1 percent of our necessary water level results in thirst, and possibly pain. A loss of 5 percent can lead to hallucinations, while a 10 percent loss in children -- 15 percent in adults -- will lead to death.

• It carries nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body through blood and lymph.
• It helps regulate body temperature by allowing heat to escape through perspiration.
• It acts as a lubricant around joints and as a shock absorber inside the eyes and in the spinal cord.
• It maintains physical work performance. Just a 4 or 5 percent decrease in body water will result in a 20 to 30 percent decline in efficiency.
• It helps food to be digested and converted to energy.

Besides water from the tap, all the beverages we drink contain water: coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks, and juices. Other water sources include soups and gelatins. Solid foods contain various amounts of water. Tomatoes are 95 percent water, and potatoes are 80 percent water. Meats are between 50 and 70 percent water, while bread is approximately 35 percent water.

The quality and quantity of this essential nutrient can affect our lives many times every day. From our morning cup of coffee to washing our hands; from making soup for dinner to doing the laundry, we depend on water. Most of us take our water for granted, but we shouldn't-water is too important to our existence to not be protected.
(Source USDA-ES)

RESEARCH WATER QUALITY SURVEY
In 1990 Agriculture Experiment Station (AES) faculty were surveyed to document research efforts related to water quality and to quantify the amount of time put into these efforts. The purpose of this survey was to document research program efforts in water quality, set priorities, assess strengths and weaknesses, and justify needs for additional resources. The survey also provided information for developing a directory of faculty research expertise which will be made available to local, state, and federal agencies dealing with water issues.

There are over 135 faculty (over 75 FTE's) with research appointments, located throughout the state, attached to departments in the College of Agriculture. In 1990, University of Idaho AES faculty devoted 9.92 FTE's to research projects having a direct impact on water quality. Water quality research efforts were placed into eight categories:

• Nutrients, Pesticides, Toxics (3.87 FTE)
• Irrigation Management (2.17 FTE)
• Bioremediation (1.26 FTE)
• Tillage/Erosion (1.13 FTE)
• Riparian/Water Ecosystems (0.83 FTE)
• Economic Assessment (0.61 FTE)
• Domestic Water Quality (0.03 FTE)
• Livestock/Waste Management (0.02 FTE)

Research faculty in the Department of Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences accounted for 45 percent of the 9.92 FTE water quality research effort in 1990. Research faculty in Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Bacteriology and Biochemistry, and Animal and Veterinary Sciences accounted for 32, 12, 10, and 3 percent of the 9.92 FTE research effort, respectively.

Over 30 percent of the AES's water quality research effort concerns the management of nutrients, pesticides, and toxics in the environment. Over 20 faculty have research dealing with these issues. Approximately 65 percent of this effort is in PSES. Another 21 percent of AES's research effort was in irrigation management. Two-thirds of the irrigation management effort was in the Department of Agricultural Engineering; however, faculty in Plant Science, Soil Science, and Agricultural Economics were also involved in water management research efforts.

The AES also expends a significant effort in Bioremediation, Tillage/Erosion, and Riparian Management.

CONSERVATION RESERVE TO TARGET WATER QUALITY
Agriculture Secretary Clayton Yeutter announced that USDA will place emphasis on environmental goals during the current sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Under the CRP, producers submit a "bid" to USDA for the "annual rental payment" they are willing to accept in exchange for converting environmentally sensitive cropland to less intensive uses such as permanent grass, forbs, wildlife cover, or trees.

Including Water Quality Considerations. As in the past, the CRP will be targeted primarily to highly erodible land. However, USDA intends to maximize the water quality benefits of enrolling such land by "scoring" highly erodible land for factors such as soil leachability and the potential offsite transport of agricultural chemicals. As a proxy for water quality benefits, USDA plans to incorporate population factors into the bid acceptance formula. For example, to rank the benefits of groundwater protection, USDA will consider the total county population reliant on groundwater as a drinking water source.

USDA also plans to give extra consideration to land within "Water Quality Impairment" areas. These areas include fields within the 74 Hydrologic Unit Area Projects (includes Canyon, Payette, Washington, and Gem counties in Idaho) under the President's Water Quality Initiative, and cropland within the following areas: Chesapeake Bay region, Great Lakes region, Long Island Sound region, and other areas approved by the Secretary. Land within these areas do not have to meet the "highly erodible land" criteria.

USDA intends to continue the policy of giving priority to filterstrips and other areas having special environmental benefits. "Eligible lands" under this priority enrollment option have been expanded to include the establishment of trees for environmental purposes, grass waterways, and land with soil salinity problems. Accepted areas are subject to easements for the life of the conservation practice. The conservation practices must have been established after November 28, 1990.

Priority for Wellhead Protection Areas. One major innovation of the CRP is the treatment of Wellhead Protection Areas (WHPAs) as a priority. Bids for land within a Wellhead Protection Area (under an EPA-approved State Wellhead Protection Program) will be favored for acceptance into the CRP. USDA has been working closely with EPA on implementing this provision. The special treatment for WHPAs is similar to the past treatment of other priority lands, such as filterstrips along streams, land devoted to trees for permanent habitat, etc.

Targeting State Priorities. USDA has expressed an interest in targeting state priority water quality areas under the CRP and other conservation programs. The use of the Wellhead Protection Program was limited to only 13 states that had approved programs. Similarly, many states have not prioritized surface waters in a manner sufficient for careful targeting of the CRP. USDA is willing to incorporate state priorities in future CRP sign-ups, to the extent such information is available.
(Source EPA Newsletter)

DO YOU HAVE A DOMESTIC WATER QUALITY PROBLEM?
If you water smells bad or tastes bad, or makes food and drink taste bad, or if your water contains excessive gas bubbles, or is cloudy or colored, or if it stains clothes or fixtures, or leaves a scum when mixed with soap, or if piping and fixtures corrode rapidly, it probably needs one or more treatment devices. On the other hand, many contaminants, both biological and chemical, show no obvious symptoms in the water. They can be identified only by having specific water samples tested by a qualified laboratory.

Consumer Tips on Treatment Devices. Water treatment devices should be carefully selected to correct specific undesirable characteristics. No one device can solve all water problems although compound treatment units are now being marketed that contain sets of treatment devices all housed in a single cabinet.

The household water treatment market is growing rapidly as people become more concerned with the quality of their water. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that water purifier fraud is also growing rapidly. Unscrupulous merchandisers are taking advantage of the demand by exaggerating the benefits of their products, by charging exorbitant prices, and by offering questionable incentives.

A few consumer tips to those who believe they might have water quality problems are:

1. Visit your public health officials or other unbiased water quality experts about your suspected problems. Inquire about specific things appropriate to test for.
2. Have your water tested for specific contaminants by an independent laboratory. Do not rely solely on tests performed by the seller.
3. Educate yourself on the limitations and disadvantages, as well as potential benefits, of specific treatment units.
4. Be wary of mail or telephone contacts offering solutions to your water quality problems.
5. Get a second opinion before purchasing an expensive water treatment system.

THE USED OIL DILEMMA
Each year American "Do-It-Yourselfers" who change their own automobile oil buy 240 million gallons of oil and generate 193 million gallons of used oil. Only 10% of this oil is recycled, this means that 90% of the used oil generated is improperly disposed (equivalent to 25 Exxon Valdez spills!). Most consumers empty oil in sewers, dump on yards or roadways, or simply throw into the trash, which may eventually get into the water supply. By disposing used oil properly, we can help reduce the hazards it poses to the environment, particularly groundwater. Used oil contains toxins such as heavy metals (lead, chromium, and cadmium), naphthalene, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and other organic chemicals. One gallon of used oil from a single oil change can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water -- enough to supply fifty people for one year. Concentrations of 50 to 100 parts per million (ppm) can foul sewage treatment processes.

Used oil is a valuable resource, it can be used as fuel or re-refined for use as a lubricant. One gallon of used oil can be re-refined into 2 1/2 quarts of lubricating oil, the same as the yield from 42 gallon barrel of crude oil. If we would re-refine all our used oil we could reduce our petroleum imports by 1.3 million barrels of crude oil per day. However, because of the expense most used oil is reprocessed to remove metals and solids and used for fuel use.

Contact local recycling centers or service stations for more information on where to recycle used motor oil (Boise has a curbside pickup service for used oil). When recycling oil, make sure that the oil is not contaminated with other liquids such as gasoline,solvents, degreasers, paints, etc. Contaminated oil cannot be reprocessed, and may need to be processed as a hazardous waste. If your community does not have an oil collection program you may want to help organize one.
(Tom Karsky, Ag Engineering)

BRUSVEN, WALKER, TRENT PRESENT WATER QUALITY PAPER
Merlyn Brusven (Entomology), David Walker (Ag Economics), and Anthony Trent (Plant Science) presented a paper at the regional Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference in Tacoma, Washington in March 1991. The title of their paper was "An Integrated Ecological-Economic Framework for Assessing Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution in a Watershed System."

Brusven noted that on private lands, agriculture is one of the largest contributors of nonpoint source pollution in North America, especially sedimentation. This type of nonpoint source pollution impairs water quality for municipal, industrial, and recreational uses and may cause changes in the ecology, hydrology, and morphology of streams and rivers. At the same time, erosion processes deplete the topsoil, reducing the productivity of the land.

Up to this time, the three AES scientists note that there has been a general lack of effective integration of land and water resources planning in a watershed or river basin context. Brusven, Walker, and Trent advocate a systems approach, incorporating information transfer, to integrate the resource components so that managers can balance ecological, economic, and hydrologic parameters in the interest of long-term stability and profitability of the farm while at the same time minimizing offsite impacts. Brusven presented conceptual models that link land-use practices with water quality and the ecology of receiving waters.

The three scientists are currently field testing an integrated planning methodology that integrates soil, ecological, hydrological, and economic variables in the resource management planning process using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Their targeted study area is the Lapwai Creek drainage, a dryland farming region in northern Idaho.

HOUSEHOLD WATER DOs AND DON'Ts
Surrounded by seemingly unlimited freshwater resources, Idahoans are the largest per capita users of domestic water in the USA. We must learn to use it more wisely if we are to continue to enjoy the benefits it provides. Water conservation begins at home, and you can do your part by following some simple tips around your house. A new CES/AES publication entitled "Household Water -- Dos and Don'ts" (CIS 893) is now available. This publication contains information on water conservation, preserving water quality, and steps necessary to make a difference. Copies of this publication can be obtained free of charge from Connie King in Ag Publications (208-885-7982). Some excepts from CIS 893 are shown below.

About 75% of all indoor water use is in the bathroom. Kitchen and laundry water use account for the remaining 18 and 7% of indoor water use, respectively.

Here are some tips on conserving water use for various areas of the home:
In the Kitchen:

• Use flow reducing attachment on faucets.
• Turn off faucets tightly; repair drips.
• If you hand wash dishes, never leave the water running.

• Install low flow toilets.
• Take short showers.
• When washing or shaving, partially fill the sink basin and use that water instead of continuously running the tap.
• Use low flow shower heads.
• When brushing teeth, only run water for rinsing your mouth and brush -- saves 80 percent of water usually used.

• Only wash when you have a full load of clothes.
• Use shortest cycle on washer.
• Use environmentally friendly cleaning products.

• Water lawns deeply every 3 to 5 days instead of short periods daily.
• Water during the cool part of day.
• Don't water your lawn if it's green.
On Your Property:
• Wash your vehicles only when necessary.
• Sweep sidewalks instead of using a hose.
• Check water system for leaks.


RIPARIAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Riparian areas are generally defined as that land closely associated with free flowing water. These areas are usually quite narrow and act as buffers or zones between upland sites and the stream, pond, spring, or lakes. These highly visible areas are receiving much attention, because of their great impact on water quality, aesthetics, and surrounding land use.

Riparian lands make up only 1-2 percent of the total rangeland, forest resource area of Idaho. This small percentage however, makes up some of the most productive and sensitive, yet resilient land within the state. These areas are prime habitat for 4/5 of the wildlife species in some Idaho areas. The riparian areas also provide exceptional grazing potential for livestock. Riparian areas are also the focal point for many outdoor recreation activities such as camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing. Where streams are perennial, riparian areas influence habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms. Healthy riparian areas also decrease flooding potential and erosion downstream.

Because of the unique settings of individual riparian areas including vegetation, soils, hydrology, streambed orientation, geology, and location within the state, they need to be managed separately. These differences lend credibility to the statement that no one management system can lend itself to riparian recovery in all areas of Idaho. Our knowledge of recovery rates are imperfect and not always reliable on a site-by-site basis. Concerns about riparian recovery need to be addressed through research or implementation of present management techniques. Specific concerns for Idaho might include:

1. In which riparian areas will the plant community change most rapidly and in what direction will these changes take?
2. Which streams have the greatest capacity for storing subsurface water and regulating stream flow?
3. Which riparian areas have the greatest potential for increased vegetative productivity and species diversity?
4. To what extent will habitat for wildlife and fish improve?
5. Which riparian areas have the greatest potential for filtering and storing sediment and improving water quality?
6. Which riparian areas have the greatest potential for increased forage and habitat values, and how can the preferred timing and intensity of grazing be determined?
Idaho land users, managers, and researchers can utilize these major concerns to develop management strategies. As all of us come to a better understanding of riparian areas and their recovery, our management decisions will develop and improve. However, there are proven management techniques that can be implemented now to improve watershed and riparian areas. Development of innovative management strategies will come about as we better understand the benefits of healthy riparian areas.
(Terry Tindall, Soil Science; Dan Lucas, Clark County Agricultural Agent)


WATER QUALITY AND LAUNDRY PROBLEMS
Fact: Water quality can affect the cleanliness of the wash. Several laundry problems are directly related to minerals, organic matter, and other impurities in the water supply. Some laundry problems may have similar symptoms but more than one possible cause. To determine if a combination of factors or water quality alone is responsible for your laundry problem, consider your equipment, water, laundry products, and procedures.

Symptoms such as: dinginess or graying, general soil build-up, a stiff harsh feel to the fabric, white or gray streaks on colored fabrics, and yellow, red, brown, green, or blue stains on fabrics are often related to poor water quality. Common water quality problems include: (1) hard water, (2) rusty water, (3) turbid water, and/or (4) acid water.

A new CES/AES publication entitled "Water Quality and Laundry Problems" (CIS 895) addresses laundry symptoms associated with poor water quality. In addition, this publication describes why the problem occurred and potential solutions. Copies of this publication can be obtained free of charge from Connie King in Ag Publications (208-885-7982).



SNAKE RIVER PLAIN WATER QUALITY DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
The Cooperative Extension System (CES), Soil Conservation Service (SCS), and Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) are co-leaders in a five-year water quality demonstration project in southern Idaho. Stacy Camp has moved from Lincoln county to the Cassia-Minidoka county area to provide leadership for CES's portion of this project. Stacy is officially titled as an area agricultural agent with emphasis in water quality.

The Idaho Snake River Plain Demonstration Project is one of only 16 projects funded nationally by the USDA (1 of only 3 in the western U.S.). The purpose of these five-year federally funded demonstration projects is to accelerate the transfer of technology necessary to protect ground and surface water quality while maintaining farm profitability.



This project will demonstrate for farmers new ways to minimize the effects of agricultural nonpoint sources of pollution on water quality, especially groundwater quality. These 16 projects may well be the last chance agriculture has to demonstrate that voluntary best management practices (BMPs) developed to protect water quality can and will work. The eyes of regulatory and fiscal agencies such as EPA and OMB (Office of Management and Budget) will be riveted on these projects. If these projects are deemed a failure, increased regulatory activity will soon follow.

The project site was selected because agricultural cropping systems and hydrologic characteristics make groundwater in the Cassia-Minidoka county area particularly vulnerable. If voluntary BMPs developed and implemented here work -- they should work anywhere!

Project Description. The Snake River Plain Water Quality Demonstration Project comprises over 1,946,000 acres in Blaine, Cassia, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Oneida, Power, and Twin Falls counties. Within this project are over 1,500 farms covering more than 760,000 acres. Approximately 91 percent of the arable land within this study area is presently irrigated. Average farm size is 520 acres. Agriculture within the study area is diverse. Major crops include: alfalfa (70,000 acres), barley (68,000 acres), dry beans (16,000 acres), corn (6,000 acres), potatoes (44,000 acres), sugarbeets (62,000 acres), and wheat (150,000 acres).

The Problem. Groundwater monitoring surveys have shown that agrichemicals are contaminating many aquifers in Idaho. The Idaho Division of Environmental Quality has identified the Snake River Plain aquifer in southern Idaho as a particularly vulnerable aquifer. This aquifer includes the Minidoka-Cassia county areas. This is a major concern since groundwater is the source of drinking H2O for over 90 percent of Idahoans. This study site was selected because of the following:

1. An extensive amount of baseline groundwater data has been collected within the study area compared to other areas in Idaho. Results show sites having significant groundwater contamination by agrichemicals.
2. Both shallow and deep water tables exist within the study area.
3. Excessive amounts of irrigation water are often used within the study area. There is a potential for greatly improved water management.
4. Intensive and extensive agrichemical use. Nitrogen use averages over 125 lb/A in project area. Over 80 agrichemicals are used within the project.
5. Widespread use of injection wells. Used irrigation water is currently reintroduced into shallow aquifers.
6. Extensive research data base developed by USDA-ARS and UIAES will be used to design BMPs to improve water quality.
Project Objectives. The goal of this project is to accelerate the transfer and adoption of new or innovative technology that is economically feasible, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable in protecting and/or improving water quality, with emphasis on agrichemicals and groundwater. The objective is to demonstrate efforts of alternative best management practices and agricultural production systems which include:
1. Assisting growers in adopting nitrogen and pesticide management practices that will reduce the amount of fertilizer N and pesticides used in crop production without reducing yields and significantly lowering farm profitability.
2. Demonstrating water, nitrogen, and pesticide BMPs that will improve water quality.
3. Incorporating water, nitrogen, and pesticide management into an integrated crop management system (ICMS) that will emphasize improved water quality.
4. Monitoring water quality characteristics with the adoption of state of the art BMPs.
5. Gaining on-farm acceptance, adoption, and experience through demonstration and education. This will be accomplished by close interagency cooperation.
6. Evaluating the economic and social impact of this program through a complete evaluation process.
Lead Agencies. Four lead agencies are principally responsible for this project: Soil Conservation Service (SCS); Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS); University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System (CES); and the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality (IDEQ).

The three USDA agencies, SCS, ASCS, and CES, have teamed up to provide primary project leadership. The Soil Conservation Service will assist farmers and ranchers developing conservation systems for use on their land and provide other necessary technical assistance, ASCS will provide financial cost-share assistance, and the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System will provide information and education assistance, including specific recommendations on the use of nutrients, pesticides, and water.

The Idaho Soil Conservation Commission (ISCC), Idaho Department of Agriculture (IDA), Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), East Cassia Soil Conservation District (ECSCD), West Cassia Soil Conservation District (WCSCD), Minidoka Soil Conservation District (MSCD), Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS), and the University of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station (UIAES) are major participants in this effort.

Action. This demonstration project includes the following components:

1. Direct technical assistance to landowners in planning the application of irrigation water management, nutrient management, and integrated pest management systems to crops.
2. Informational and educational activities for other growers farming within the project area as the primary audience, local policy maker as the secondary audience, and other Snake River Plain growers as the tertiary audience.
3. Cost-share incentives for initial participation in the demonstration project.
4. A network for monitoring the impact of use of these practices for water, nutrient, and pesticide management on groundwater and surface water quality and form of profitability.
5. An evaluation process to assess efforts and productivity of the program.


4-H AND WATER QUALITY
Teen 4-H members will have an opportunity to learn what water quality is from the experts at the Idaho 4-H Teen Conference.

UI faculty will offer three classes dealing with water quality at the conference, June 10-14. The classes are part of the Science and Technology program. UI faculty annually volunteer their time to teach a variety of classes for the 4-H teens. This year five faculty will teach 4-H teens about hazardous chemicals in groundwater, how to determine water quality, and how to analyze natural water.

Ray Von Wandruszka from the Chemistry Department will lead teens through the process of water analysis. Tom Karsky, Ed Dowding, and Roy Taylor (Agricultural Engineering) will look at factors affecting water quality and how to determine water quality using chemical and sediment tests. Using laboratory demonstrations of gas chromatography (GC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) Ron Crawford of IMAGE will show the teens how to find chemicals in groundwater.

The conference is held on the UI campus every June and attended by 275 teens from throughout the state. In addition to the Science and Technology classes, the conference also offers Life Skill and Action classes.
(Maureen Toomey, 4-H)



WATER QUALITY MATERIALS
There are currently eight publications available in the "Quality Water for Idaho" series. Additional publications will be available over the next few months. To order copies of these CIS's, contact Connie King in Ag Publications (208-885-7982). Current titles include:

• CIS 861 Pesticide Handling Practices to Protect Groundwater
• CIS 865 Pesticides and Their Movement in Soil and Water
• CIS 872 Nitrate and Groundwater
• CIS 873 Water Testing
• CIS 874 Drinking Water Standards
• CIS 887 Idaho's Water Resource
• CIS 893 Household Water-Dos and Don'ts
• CIS 895 Laundry Detergents
Two new brochures on college water quality programs are also available. To order copies of these brochures contact R. L. Mahler, Soil Science Division (208-885-7025). Current titles include:
• WQ-1 Activities in Water Quality -- The Cooperative Extension System
• WQ-2 Water Quality Programs in the College of Agriculture -- Education, Research and Extension
There are several other CES/AES publications which deal with water quality issues in Idaho. To order copies of these materials contact Connie King. Current titles include:
• CIS 673 Application of Agricultural Chemicals in Pressurized Irrigation Systems
• CIS 792 Calibration of Lawn and Garden Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicators for Homeowners
• CIS 846 Fertilizing Lawns in Southern Idaho
• PNW 287 Irrigation Runoff Control Strategies
• PNW 288 Irrigation Scheduling
• EXT 683 Sulfur-Coated Urea as a Slow Release Nitrogen Source for Onions
• EXT 694 Dairy Waste Management System Planning -- Estimating Storage
• EXP 687 Controlling Erosion and Nonpoint Source Pollution in Idaho's Tom Beall Watershed
• RES 139 The Costs and Benefits of Improving Irrigation Return Flow Water Quality in the Rock Creek, Idaho, Rural Clean Water Project


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