Irrigation of turfgrass with municipal effluent and potable water : soil, water and turf quality aspects

Abstract

This field experiment evaluated the use of secondary treated municipal wastewater for irrigation of turfgrasses. Common bermudagrass (Cvnodon dactvlon L. Pers.) was seeded to a gravelly sandy loam. In the Fall, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was overseeded to maintain an actively growing turf. Plots were irrigated identically with either effluent or potable water. Soil and water samples were collected periodically and analyzed for pH, salinity, major cations, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Turf quality was assessed using a visual evaluation technique. Effluent irrigation produced significantly lower seed germination and resulted in increased salinity, sodium, nitrate and phosphorus concentrations in soils. Leachate waters contained greater salinity and higher concentrations of major cations than irrigation waters. Established effluent irrigated turf did not show signs of salt stress and produced turf quality as good as potable irrigated plots. High quality turf was grown using secondary sewage effluent for irrigation.