Greenhouse Process Water Quality and Quantity Characterization Analysis

A biweekly sampling program to determine the water quality of greenhouse process water (feed, leach and collection pond water) was conducted at 7 vegetable and 8 flower greenhouse operations. As well, a water use and management paper survey across a wider range of operations was conducted to determine the quantity of water being used for irrigation and the degree to which unused irrigation water (leach) is being captured and reused, and issues surrounding water use/reuse management. A total of 9 vegetable growers completed surveys (3 tomato, 2 cucumber, 3 pepper, and 1 tomato and pepper operations), and 27 flower operators were surveyed, with approximately even representation from the five major production categories (cut recirculating, cut open, potted plant recirculating, potted plant open, and cut flowers grown in soil).

Evaluation of innovative water treatment technologies for reuse of nutrient solutions in the horticulture industry (SR9245)

Five technologies were evaluated for their effectiveness at removing nutrients, non-nutrient components, and plant pathogens from irrigation runoff or leachate: a full scale constructed wetland system recently installed at a container nursery, and four pilot scale systems constructed at flower greenhouse: two denitrification woodchip bioreactors combined with phosphorus removal units, Phytolinks™ (floating wetlands), IrrigroTM irrigation system, and an engineered hollow fibre filter system (Zeeweed)Evaluation of innovative water treatment technologies for reuse of nutrient solutions in the horticulture industry

Best Management Practices for the Ontario Greenhouse and Container Nursery Industry to Protect Surface and Sub-surface Water Quality TOGA-OMAFRA Great Lakes Project 07-038)

The project objectives were to demonstrate the principles of collection, treatment, and reuse of irrigation runoff water in the greenhouse horticulture industry and develop and draft a. Existing treatment systems were monitored at three sites and new systems were installed and monitored at the seven sites. Irrigation water runoff and water at interim stages of each treatment system were monitored to determine their effectiveness. A Greenhouse and Container Nursery Water and Nutrient Management BMP document was drafted which formed the basis of the three individual OMAFRA BMP and self-assessment guides for greenhouse vegetable, container nursery, and greenhouse floriculture production.