Water analysis for agricultural and rural residential uses

“Analyzing water for agricultural and rural residential uses is important,” says Shawn Elgert, agricultural water engineer with the Alberta government. “Key considerations when testing your water include the frequency, purpose, parameters to test for and where to get it tested.”

Frequency of testing

“The frequency and parameters for water testing vary based on the reason for the test,” explains Elgert. “In some cases, people test their water because they suspect a particular issue or want to measure contaminant levels. Even if no issues are currently apparent, establishing a baseline is essential for identifying and understanding any changes in water quality over time.”

For rural household use on private water sources, Alberta Health Services has recommended testing schedules based on the type of water source, even if no problem is suspected. Ad hoc tests may be required for various reasons, such as the presence of a newborn baby in the home, changes in water quality or other concerns.

For agricultural use, testing is often done to address specific problems, such as potentially toxic growth in a livestock dugout. Surface water sources vary in quality over time, so testing may need to be done on an ad hoc basis. Initial testing should be done to determine suitability, especially for groundwater sources, as water wells often have consistent quality over time. However, some wells may be more directly connected to surface water, causing quality to vary.

Determining what to test for depends on the purpose

“When deciding what to test for, consider the purpose of the test. This could include scheduled testing, general suitability analysis for a particular use, troubleshooting livestock health problems or identifying problems with a water well or other water sources.”

Examples of problematic parameters in well water for agriculture include high levels of sodium, sulfate, chloride, nitrate/nitrite and total dissolved solids. Surface water problems may involve blue-green algae toxin levels, cell counts, species identification from algae blooms, microbiological organism identification and similar parameters to those tested in groundwater if the surface water is connected to it.

Testing suites

“A list of parameters for specific purposes and uses for analysis is referred to as a 'suite.' For agricultural use, various suites are available, including those for basic and advanced livestock, irrigation and water used for mixing with herbicides. Examples can be found in the Rural Water Quality Information Tool under the Agricultural water link. Private laboratories can be contacted directly to determine the specific suites they offer based on your needs,” says Elgert.

For rural residential use, Alberta Health provides standard chemical and trace metals analysis. Additional information can be found in the Rural Water Quality Information Tool under the Testing farm drinking water link and in the Alberta Health link Testing your drinking water in Alberta, which includes how to sample the water and instances when analysis services are not provided. Alberta Health Services also offers more information in the Sample Your Water | Alberta Health Services link.

Where to send samples

The location for sending your samples varies based on usage and purpose. For household use, you can contact local health centres listed in the Environmental Public Health - Water Sample Bottle Pick-up and Drop-off - InformAlberta.ca.

“For agricultural use, a private laboratory must be contacted,” explains Elgert. “You can conduct an online search for laboratories in Alberta that cater to your specific needs. Once you contact them, inquire about the services they provide. You can also use the CALA Directory of Laboratories website to find accredited laboratories in Canada and use the filter as this site includes testing for many different purposes.”

For general information on this topic, you can contact 310-FARM (3276) and ask to speak to a water specialist.

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