Although no irrigation well in the Mississippi Delta has ever gone dry, overuse leads to lower levels of groundwater each year. Setting new conservation goals that are reasonable enough to be met by landowners can help maintain water for crop production in the future.
To accomplish that goal, irrigation water wells have had significant changes made to their permit regulations. While some years have shown net gains in the measurement of water volume, the overall totals for numerous years indicate a deficit in the aquifer levels. Fortunately, the Mississippi Delta has a great deal of water, particularly when compared with other regions in the country; the challenge is to use this resource wisely and sustainably.
Among the changes are that permits for irrigation wells will be issued for 5 years rather than 10 as they were previously. New conditions must also be met, including the installation of a meter with annual reports of water use sent to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
To read Delta Farm Press's list of qualifying conservation practices, click here.
