York Region Water Reuse Research and Demonstration Project

The Water Reuse Research Demonstration Project evaluated the effects of the use of reclaimed treated municipal water as an irrigation source for sod production on plant health, soil properties, and surface water and groundwater quality. An on-farm assessment was conducted that followed the soil (detailed soil cores to 60cm), water (lysimeters, nested groundwater wells, and tile water) and crop (plant health, germination and alternate crop) effects of over the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons, on replicated test and control plots. Both treatment and control areas were managed identically with the exception of the irrigation water source: control (irrigation pond water) and treatment (reclaimed water from the Regional Municipality of York).