Effluent irrigation can potentially provide an alternative to effluent discharge and employ the soil/plant system in utilizing effluent water and nutrients without degrading soil and water quality. This study was conducted on an Eluviated Dystric Brunisol in northern Alberta for which there is little information on irrigation potential, wastewater use and forage species adaptation. Research objectives were to quantify effects of pulp mill effluent irrigation rates, forages and nitrogen fertilization rates on soil moisture, soil properties and forage properties.
Three forage species were established at a field site near the Alberta-Pacific pulp mill. Treatments did not affect soil physical properties. Irrigation and fertilizer rates influenced soil chemical properties and forage quality and composition. Differences between effluent rates were not determined, but irrigation increased soil moisture under limiting moisture conditions. Reed canary grass was the highest producer, while alfalfa had the best forage quality. Fertilization improved grass biomass and quality under irrigation.