INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION WATER-QUALITY ON SOIL INFILTRATION

The quality of municipal waste water is affected by its chemical compo sion and by the process used to treat it. If suspended solids limit in filtration, their removal by the municipal treatment facility is a fac tor to consider in the planning and management of water resources. The effect of water quality and sprinkler water application rate on bare soil infiltration was investigated. Treated wastewater and clean water were applied to a bare soil at two different application rates, 25 mm /hr and 100 mm/hr. The change in each soil infiltration rate after eig ht runs for each water quality was determined. The results showed that the reduction in infiltration rate was greatest for the soil under th e treated wastewater application due to the effect of accumulation of suspended solids at the soil surface.