Why Farm Water Quality Matters
Poor water quality affects crop yields, damages irrigation equipment, harms livestock and can contaminate food products. Yet many South African farms use untested borehole or dam water without knowing what is in it. SMI Analytical provides agricultural water testing tailored to farms, smallholdings, nurseries and agri-businesses across South Africa.
Irrigation Water Testing
The quality of irrigation water directly affects soil chemistry, plant health and food safety. Key parameters:
- Electrical Conductivity (EC) — salinity indicator; high EC causes osmotic stress and reduces yields
- Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) — high sodium causes soil structure breakdown
- pH — optimal for most crops is 6.0 to 7.5
- Boron — toxic to citrus and stone fruit above 0.5 mg/l
- Bicarbonate — causes scaling in drip irrigation and raises soil pH over time
- E. coli — critical for food safety on vegetables and salad crops
Livestock Water Testing
Poor water is a common but overlooked cause of poor animal performance. Key parameters for cattle, pigs and poultry:
- Nitrates — cattle are highly sensitive; levels above 44 mg/l NO3 can cause nitrate poisoning
- Sulphates — causes diarrhoea and interferes with mineral absorption
- TDS — water above 3 000 mg/l reduces water intake in cattle
- Iron — causes palatability problems and staining of troughs
- Bacteria — coliforms cause scours especially in young animals
Food Safety Compliance
If your farm supplies produce to retailers, export markets or food processors, water quality compliance is required for GlobalG.A.P., SIZA and retailer audits. SMI Analytical provides the laboratory reports and certificates needed for these audits.
Dam and Surface Water Testing
Farm dams accumulate runoff from fertilisers, pesticides, livestock waste and can host blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Test for nutrients (phosphates, nitrates), cyanotoxins, pesticide residues and suspended solids after heavy rains.
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