Friday, Apr 26 2013 2:55PM
Producers may now measure their water quality through the use of a new USDA tool.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a new tool that will help agricultural producers measure the quality of its water, which may help them make important decisions about quality improvements and technology.
The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service created the web tool and producers can gain an accurate reading by inputting several pieces of information about their farms into the index, such as soil characteristics and pest management.
NRCS National Water Quality and Quantity team leader Shaun McKinney said that water quality issues are complex, and there are few resources available for helping producers fully understand them.
"This is a problem," said McKinney. "How can we talk to producers about improving water quality, when we can't explain it in a clear way?"
Several federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior (DOI), have tackled water quality issues recently, as access to clean water system services directly affects economic and rural community development, public health and conservation strategies.
The DOI recently released its National Water Census to Congress to help lawmakers better address the nation's water needs and establish guidelines for ensuring all communities have access to sustainable water resources.
For more information, check out this resource: The U.S. Department of Agriculture