Especially considering the dry and heat intensive climate patterns regions across the country are facing, many farms and agricultural properties are working tirelessly to find ways to conserve what seems to be a dwindling supply of water.
California is one of the many states that have taken action in identifying water shortages and wastewater compliance issues throughout surrounding areas. This may as well be due its status of being one of the largest agricultural states in the country - representing a $50 million industry.
Continue reading to learn how Geomat’s water recovery systems can help your farm or agriculture facility reduce and reclaim wastewater.
Water Policy & Regulations in the State of California
As one of the most prominent agricultural industries in the state, many cities, towns, and municipalities share the same resources of rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers. California’s State Water Resources Control Board regulates the production and use of recycled water that ensures safety and health for the public and surrounding environment.
Title 22 Code of Regulations allows for the sterilized, treated irrigation of wastewater to agricultural crops. It lists 40 specific ways to use this disinfected, reclaimed wastewater properly in the state of California. Since this regulation, many cities and towns have taken their own action to adjust their wastewater uses.
More information on the state’s Recycled Water Policy states the following:
The Recycled Water Policy provides direction to the regional water boards, proponents of recycled water projects, and the public regarding the methodology and appropriate water quality control criteria for the State Water Board and the regional water boards to use when issuing permits for recycled water projects.
For instance, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is filled with treated wastewater in their lakes, fountains, and waterfalls. Recycled water is often used for landscaping purposes in these drier regions within the state.
More specifically, places like Orange County, California have established a common practice of recycling and filtering wastewater into aquifers and preventing salt intrusion into oceans - reclaiming and purifying up to 130 gallons of water per day.
Monterey’s Agricultural Reclaimed Water Study
In 1980, the Monterey Wastewater Reclamation Study for Agriculture identified that the water being drawn from an aquifer in Salinas Valley was severely overdrawn and risked saltwater intrusion to the Pacific ocean. For the next five years, this study and the area of Monterey worked to incorporate reclaimed wastewater and water runoff for reuse in these water intensive industries and regions.
By the end of this study, there was no drastic difference in levels of bacteria, viruses, or heavy metals in the soil of crops from the irrigated, recirculated wastewater.
Additionally, this study over the course of 5 years suggested that treated wastewater could increase nitrate levels, which could naturally benefit the crops grown in the state that use the reclaimed water.
It’s no secret that the agriculture industry alone is extremely water intensive. Recycling reclaimed wastewater for agricultural purposes has become an acceptable and highly beneficial way to maintain sustainable efforts while reducing your water use and costs.
No matter if you’re already a resident in the state of California or simply play a small part in the major concern of water scarcity, there are many ways you and your company can be reclaiming and recycling wastewater and water runoff for multiple purposes.
Reclaiming Wastewater & Water Runoff with Geomat
Water is one of the only main resources every human utilizes each and every day. Taking the time to make a small and simple step towards recycling and reusing water can help your farm regulate and reduce your water use.
Luckily, you don’t have to wait for your state or county to enforce strict water regulations - now is the time to start saving wastewater and adhering to environmental compliance for the safety of your farm, your plants, and your planet.
The following are examples of instances where wastewater and water runoff can be reclaimed, collected, and reused in the agricultural and farming industry:
Irrigation of plants & crops
Sanitation of equipment & workspaces
Runoff from livestock watering
Dairy, egg, or meat processing
Composting, nutrients, or other amendments
Domestic water use in the farm or facility (bathroom, kitchen. etc.)
With Geomat’s Water Recovery Systems, all wastewater and water runoff created throughout agricultural and farming practices can be collected and filtered, recycled, and ready to be reused.
All water captured on the Geomat goes through a series of Patented filtration steps. After, the reclaimed wastewater is either pumped back into the sanitary sewer line or as a closed-loop system, storing the recycled water in 500 gallon holding tanks for reuse.
From helping small batch farmers reduce their water usage, to strategizing the ideal water recovery system layout for a 14,000+ square foot indoor cultivation facility, Geomat’s Water Recovery Systems are state-of-the-art and designed to help you maintain environmental compliance.
As a natural resource and precious commodity, it goes without saying the need for water is important now more than ever.
Interested in learning more about how Geomat can help you reduce your water use and maintain environmental compliance? Contact us to schedule a quote today. Stay tuned for more updates on cannabis environmental news from our Blog page!