IMPROVING WATER QUALITY IN NSW CANE DRAINS BY MONITORING AND GROWER PARTICIPATION

摘要

After a 3 year study of surface water quality adjacent to canelands in north-east coastal New South Wales, Australia, the sugar industry has emerged from having little direct awareness of physiochemical, nutrient and pesticide water quality in major cane drains to a position of knowledge. Monitoring occurred in six of the many natural and constructed drains in the region. Automated water quality 'stations' were installed and maintained at the discharge end of each main drain to continuously measure pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, stream height and velocity. In addition, monthly water samples were collected and analysed for DO, suspended solids, pH, EC, chloride, nutrients and pesticides. Canegrowers with farms adjacent to the drains operated as focus groups to discuss and respond progressively to the results from their respective drains, while several strategies were used during the study to inform other canegrowers and the wider community of the findings. The interactive nature of the study helped to raise awareness and change practices, which subsequently led to measurable improvements m water quality, particularly for pesticide residues.