A new online tool gives farmers and ranchers a better understanding of the quality of water flowing off their fields and into waterways. The new tool is called the Water Quality Index for Agricultural Runoff (WQIag) and was developed by scientists at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Rather than just assess one dimension of water quality his tool offers a complete picture. It is currently being tested, but NRCS engineers say they hope to eventually offer the WQIag as a free smartphone app.
To get results a number of variables about a given field (eg slope, soil characteristics, nutrient and pest management, tillage practices and conservation practices) are entered into the tool. The WQIag then calculates these variables into a single rating on a 10-point scale, with 0 being very poor and 10 being excellent.
By adjusting some of the input variables farmers and ranchers can assess the impacts that these efforts will have an overall water quality.
To access the USDA's water quality tool click here.
© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
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Rather than just assess one dimension of water quality his tool offers a complete picture. It is currently being tested, but NRCS engineers say they hope to eventually offer the WQIag as a free smartphone app.
To get results a number of variables about a given field (eg slope, soil characteristics, nutrient and pest management, tillage practices and conservation practices) are entered into the tool. The WQIag then calculates these variables into a single rating on a 10-point scale, with 0 being very poor and 10 being excellent.
By adjusting some of the input variables farmers and ranchers can assess the impacts that these efforts will have an overall water quality.
To access the USDA's water quality tool click here.
© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
Related Articles
Video - Water in the Anthropocene
New Water Quality Runoff Tool from the USDA
110 Water Conservation Tips for Businesses and Homes
Video - World Water Day: What Individuals Can Do
Video: World Water Day: Problems and Solutions Animated Short
Video - The Big Thirst the Business of Water
Video - World Water Day 2013: Message from UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon
Documentary - Water on the Table
The Carbon Trust's Water Standard
Worldwatch Institute: The Looming Threat of Water Scarcity
World Water Day 2013: International Year of Water Cooperation
Solutions to the World Water Crisis Requires International Cooperation
Solutions to Diminishing Ground Water
Reducing Water Use in the United States
Water Efficiency: Stopping the Flow from Leaky Pipes
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Alarming Facts About Water
Population Growth and Climate Change will Add to the World Water Crisis
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