Yes. Irrigation water that is suitable for one soil may not be for another. Use of saline and/or sodic water for irrigation can be risky business on soils predominated by silt or clay. Just 1 acre-foot of moderately saline irrigation water (EC = 3 dS/m - the upper end of suitability for irrigation water) will introduce 1.8 tons of salt to an acre of land. Soluble salts do not leach as readily through fine textured soils as through sandy soils.

Water can be both saline and sodic, or saline-sodic. If water has an EC greater than 4 (2 for horticulture) and a SAR greater than 12, it is considered saline-sodic.

Water can naturally become saline or sodic by coming into contact with soil or geologic material that is high in salts. Upon contact, salts dissolve into the water, raising the EC and/or the SAR of the water. Water can also become saline when evaporation concentrates naturally occurring salts.

Saline water has a relatively high concentration of dissolved salts. Salt is not just "salt" as we know it - sodium chloride (NaCl) - but can be dissolved calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+) sulfate (S042-), bicarbonate (HC03-) and Boron (B).

There are no amendments, chemicals, or additives available commercially that can be added to saline water to make the salt go away. Dilution with a non-saline water or salt precipitation with an evaporation process which leaves the salt behind and traps the evaporated water can be used. Dilution of saline irrigation water is only possible if there is a source of non-saline water with which to dilute the saline water.

Saline soils are indicative of inadequate drainage to leach salt from the soil or upward migration of salt from shallow ground water. Sodic soils have an abundance of sodium. Some soils are naturally saline and/or sodic. If the soil was formed on parent material high in salts, such as marine deposits, and it has inadequate drainage, the soil will be high in salts as well. Soils can become saline and/or sodic from unnatural processes as well.

Sodic water is high in sodium (Na+) concentration relative to concentrations of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+). The sodicity of water is expressed as the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR),

Often the problem is obvious. Excess soluble salts will often crystallize on the surface of fallow fields, while thin, patchy salt crusts will form under clods or on the shady side of clods where marginal salt problems are found. Thick, continuous crusts form in saline seeps. Saline soils tend to inhibit germination and emergence of plants. Therefore, patterns of growth in cropped fields will be poor, with spotty stand establishment.

The most common locations to find saline soils are in the eastern and central part of Montana and in poorly drained areas north of the Missouri River. Naturally saline soils are found along many stream terraces and bottoms, while saline seeps can be found throughout most of the glaciated plains region. Sodic soils occur in many of the same locations as saline soils, found most commonly in eastern and north central Montana and along irrigated flood plains of many rivers.

Reclamation of saline or sodic soils can be done. It is first necessary to know whether the soil you want to reclaim is saline, sodic, or both, since reclamation procedures are different for each. Saline soil reclamation requires as a minimum: 1) assessment of the problem, 2) enhanced drainage, and 3) a relatively salt free water supply. Without these components, reclamation cannot progress.

Water is classified as "saline" when it becomes a risk for growth and yield of crops. Saline water has a relatively high concentration of dissolved salts (cations and anions). Salt is not just "salt" as we know it - sodium chloride (NaCl) - but can be dissolved calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sulfate (SO42-), bicarbonate (HCO3-), Boron (B), and other compounds.

Gypsum is generally added to provide a calcium source to displace sodium in the soil. (Gypsum is calcium sulfate, 22.5% calcium). For most soils in Montana east of the continental divide, the soil is already saturated with respect to calcium (as calcium carbonate or lime). Hence, adding gypsum to a soil already saturated with calcium simply elevates the concentration of calcium, favoring formation of calcium carbonate.

A ground water source is a source of water that is taken from beneath the earth's surface, usually in an aquifer, which is a natural underground layer, often of sand or gravel, which contains water. Most public water systems with groundwater sources pump and treat groundwater from wells, which are drilled into the ground to capture water flowing below surface level.

A surface water source is a source of water that is open to the atmosphere and subject to surface runoff. Examples of surface water sources include lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.

A ground water source under the direct influence of surface water is defined as any water beneath the surface of the ground that when tested, has physical characteristics (such as turbidity, temperature, conductivity, or pH) that closely correlate with surface water chemistry; and/or well water that rises in temperature soon after precipitation events; and/or ground water that is found to contain microorganisms or debris that are typically found only in surface water such as algae, organic debri.

Water is critical for your body. The great thing about raw fruits and vegetables is that they're rich in pure water. Our bodies are 70% water. You should still drink water when waking in the morning and between meals, because having a water-rich diet keeps you hydrated. It's true that you tend to drink less water when eating a High Raw diet because you're getting plenty of water in your foods, as opposed to cooking it out.

Water available in most retreats/ hotels is filtered water. For people with more sensitive systems, it may be a good idea to use bottled water. [Back to top]

The water comes from a well, stream, stock tank, rural water supply, or spring. We will advise on the best possible source.

Elevated sodium and chloride concentrations in water can harm some woody plants due to direct toxicity as ions are taken up by the root cells or applied directly to the leaves. Either way, ions can accumulate in the leaves, causing burn along the outer leaf edges. In addition, sodium can indirectly affect crop growth by causing calcium, potassium, and magnesium deficiencies or by adversely affecting soil physical properties.

In rural communities, mainly wells, which can be very dangerous, especially when located on one-half acre plots and where it is almost impossible to keep the seepage from the cesspool or septic tank out of the well. In the larger towns and the cities water may come from deep wells or from nearby rivers and lakes. Each and every day the access to safe ground water and surface water is less certain as our population continues to expand and cover more and more of the planet.