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SPRINKLER IRRIGATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF VOCS FROM GROUNDWATER
Citation:
Impact/Purpose:
To evaluate the performance of sprinkler irrigation technology for the treatment and disposal of groundwater contaminated with VOCs.
Description:
Sprinkler irrigation is a common farming practice in those states where the semi arid climate and lack of sufficient rainfall during critical growing periods necessitate the requirement for supplemental water. The source of most irrigation water is groundwater which can be contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Since the groundwater may be the primary, or the only, source of drinking water for a community, there is a need for reasonable cost effective treatment methods. Typically, groundwater contaminated with VOCs is remedied with conventional pump and treat technologies. However, the costs associated with conventional pump and treat options can be significant. Because irrigation is a fairly widespread practice, there is an opportunity to employ it as a dual function technology -- crop irrigation and treatment and disposal of contaminants from the groundwater. This could augment conventional treatment and result in cost savings. Additional benefits of implementation include containment of the groundwater plume, elimination of discharge or reinjection of the treated groundwater, and reduced irrigation expense for site vegetative covers. An evaluation of the performance of sprinkler irrigation for these purposes was conducted in July 1996 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program. Results and activities of the evaluation of sprinkler irrigation technology for the treatment and disposal of groundwater contaminated with VOCs are presented in this paper.
