Efficient use of groundwater in agriculture
What is it?
Drinking water supply remains a challenge in Saint-Rémi due to its remote location from watercourses, the constraint of a unique geological fault for groundwater supply, as well as conflicts of use. The PAD Saint-Rémi project, initiated in 2023, aims to introduce more efficient management practices for groundwater resources, mainly destined for the agricultural sector. To carry out this project, OBV SCABRIC will mobilize and support 15 agricultural producers in adopting new practices, in collaboration with experts, including agri-environmental advisors and researchers.
What do we do?
In 2023, six agricultural producers have already expressed their interest and signed commitment forms to participate in this initiative. Recruitment of other farm businesses is underway. The project will be divided into two distinct phases: the consultation phase and the water management practices implementation phase. In the concertation phase, producers will be invited to conferences and workshops on practices designed to make on-farm water management more efficient. For the implementation phase, seven of the committed producers will be supported in implementing water management practices.
OBV SCABRIC is responsible for:
- Establishing and maintaining producer mobilization and commitment;
- Guiding concerted action and organizing conferences and workshops;
- Assisting producers and their advisors in planning, seeking financing and implementing water management practices.
What are good water management practices in the agri-environment?
1. Water-saving irrigation practices
Some irrigation techniques use water more efficiently. For example, drip irrigation or low-volume sprinkler irrigation, as well as rational irrigation, use sensors to target areas of a field that need irrigation and those that do not. In addition, the use of advanced irrigation tools such as tensiometers and flowmeters represents a modern and efficient approach to optimizing agricultural irrigation.
2. Rain water collection
Rainwater can be reclaimed and used for agricultural purposes. Bioretention basins and the detour of gutters to collectors can be set up to harvest rainwater.
Conference: Agricultural water management
Over the course of the day, participants attended four enriching conferences and two discussion workshops. Here is an overview of the conferences presented:
1 – Water under our feet: knowledge and commitment for sustainable water management: Hosted by an expert from Université Laval (ULaval) and the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), this conference addressed the challenges of water management in the Montérégie Ouest region, while emphasizing the importance of a better understanding and a collective commitment to protecting this resource.
2 – Learn about the mathematics of irrigation and Dubois Agrinovation services: This presentation highlighted the importance of rational irrigation, demonstrating how optimized practices and adapted tools can improve crop yields while reducing water consumption. Dubois Agrinovation also presented its services, highlighting their usefulness for agricultural producers.
3 – Irrigation management: from theory to practice: the Hortau team presented advanced technological solutions for monitoring and adjusting irrigation in real time. These tools, adapted to the specific needs of farming operations, offer increased efficiency and reduced water losses.
4 – Presentation of the Prime-Vert program: This conference provided key information on the financial assistance available under the Prime-Vert program. Participants were able to discover how these programs support projects aimed at sustainable water management, particularly in the agricultural sector.
D’autres projets visant la mobilisation des producteurs agricoles dans la MRC des Jardins-de-Napierville et dans la MRC de Roussillon :
- Les producteurs de la Saint-Pierre se mobilisent (PAAR Saint-Pierre – 2022-2025)
- Les producteurs de la Saint-Louis passent à l’action (PAAR Saint-Louis—2021-2025)
- Collaboration avec la MRC de Roussillon : Développement agroalimentaire – PDZA Roussillon 2019-2024 – Enjeu 5 – Agroenvironnement (PDZA Roussillon – 2022-2024)
- PAAR St-Régis (2018-2022)
- PSREE Grands préleveurs d’eau
Vue d’ensemble et historique
Le potentiel de pénurie d’eau potable dans ce secteur est identifié depuis le plan directeur de l’eau de 2015. Ce projet est l’une des suites de la démarche d’adaptation aux changements climatiques liés à l’eau dans le bassin versant de la rivière Saint-Régis, la Rés-Alliance de la Saint-Régis (2017-2019) et l’étape suivante des activités d’adaptation dans le bassin versant de la Saint-Régis (2021-2023).
L’OBV SCABRIC est le porteur du projet collectif et rassembleur financé par le volet 2 du programme Prime-Vert du MAPAQ
Les principaux partenaires sont :
- La Ville de Saint-Rémi
- René Lefebvre, Ph. D., professeur titulaire à l’INRS
- Jimmy Mayrand, étudiant Université Laval
- Géomont
- Municipalité de Saint-Patrice-de-Sherrington
- La Direction de l’eau potable et des eaux souterraines du ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs
Find out more!
Contact our project managers at projet@scabric.ca.
