In 1973, Simpson Paper Company initiated a research program to explore the use of the fully-treated secondary effluent from its Shasta Mill for beneficial crop irrigation. This report describes the operation of laboratory soil columns and field test plots, plus hydrological studies. Construction of a 162 hectare irrigation project began in early 1975, with the first effluent irrigation taking place in January, 1976. During the next 20 months, over 5.3 million cubic meters of effluent were applied to the carefully prepared fields, using an innovative, highly automated, flood irrigation system. Several crops were grown, including wheat, oats, corn, alfalfa and beans. In most cases, the yields were equal to, or better than, the California averages for those crops. The effluent percolate, which eventually enters the Sacramento River, is essentially devoid of suspended solids, BOD-5, chemical oxygen demand (COD), color, and toxicity components.

Grant no. S-803689-01-0. Jan. 1979. Includes bibliographical references. Microfiche.