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.
Other projects to mobilize agricultural producers in the Jardins-de-Napierville and Roussillon RCMs:
- 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
Overview and history
The potential for drinking water shortages in this area has been identified since the 2015 Water Master Plan. This project is one of the outcomes of the water-related climate change adaptation process in the Saint-Régis River watershed, the Rés-Alliance de la Saint-Régis (2017-2019) and the next stage of adaptation activities in the Saint-Régis watershed (2021-2023).
OBV SCABRIC is the project leader for this collective project funded by MAPAQ’s Prime-Vert program, component 2.
The main partners are:
- 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
For more information!
Contact our project managers at projet@scabric.ca.
