Any method is acceptable when it comes to application. However, farmers much make sure that they are trying their utmost to conserve water.

As specified in the Water Consumption section, there is a certain water amount that farmers will be allowed to use based on the crops, rainfall, and climate. Keep in mind that some methods for irrigation are not as efficient as others.

Therefore, while in the process of attaining the organic certification, the USDA suggests, but does not demand, the use of drip method irrigation.

There is some debate as to whether there are benefits of drip irrigation. The USDA finds that there are benefits to its use when it comes to water conservation (Pro: Asif et al., Maisiri et al., Against: Al-Jamal et al.)

Farmers will have to keep track of the amount of rain fall and the rate at which they are watering their crops. The certification will be issued based on how these results hold up with the New Organic Standards for Irrigation.

The water that your business uses to produce its product can not be more than is being naturally replenished.

Listed below are the regulations beased on your buisnesses source for irrigation water:

• Groudnwater/Diverted strems or Springs: must go through a filtration or purification system before application. This is a precautionary measure to hult the spread of point source and nonpoint source pollutants.
• Recycled Sewage Plant Water: if used must come from within a 50 mile radius or acquired through a low emition form of transportation.
• Use of Aquifer: refer back to the general statement on rate of water consumption verses resource renewal.

If your region is rated by the National Weather Service to have high annual percipitation, your business should be equipt to retain and distribute this resource to your product.

Water Sources that are not considered organic are:

• Stagnent water sources: such as ground water wells
• Low/slow replenishing water sources
• Using equipment when diverting or pulling in water that negatively effects or harms biodiversity of that region.

The goal, when it comes to consuming water, is to use it as efficiently as possible. Set in place are methods for measuring the optimum amount of water. While we want to conserve water, there is also a need to have a large yield so farmers can financially succeed.

Farmers will be required to maintain a record of the amount of rainfall that occurs annually, what time of the year or season it happens, and the rate at which water is being used to irrigate (volume/hour). (This only applies to non-greenhouse agriculture)

From there, the Organic Certification Agent will calculate how much water the farmer needs to produce a healthy yield based on crop and climate averages of the region for growth.

The certification will be issued based on the results of these calculations.

The amount that the farmer can go over will be based on the size of the farm and climate the farmer is growing in.

To be considered for organic certification your businesses form of irrigation water must be tested for:

• chlorine- use can not exceed regulations set forth by the Safe Drinking Water Act (Guidelines for Organic Crop Certification, 5)
• herbacides/pestacides/nonorganic fertalizers- An Organic Certification Agent will be checking for trace amounts of nonorganic chemicals in irrigation water. These chamicals may be from nonorganic farms or other businesses that have contaminated the system. See Water Source for regulations on obtaining water for irrigation (Water Contamination).