Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Surface drainage. 3. Subsurface drainage. 4. Water table management. 5. Drainage water quality. 6. Drainage water treatment. 7. Drainage water re-use. 8. Drainage water issues. 9. Drainage water disposal. 10. Saline water irrigation. 11. Purification of streams and rivers. 12. Long-distance water transfer. 13. Water quality monitoring. Bibliography. Index.

"Agricultural drainage is the removal of excess water from the soil surface and/or soil profile of cropland, by either gravity or artificial means. The two main reasons for improving the drainage on agricultural land are for soil conservation and enhancing crop production.

The management goal of agricultural drainage is to maintain a salt balance in the crop root zone in arid areas and proper soil water balance in humid areas. Drainage water from different locations and /or facilities will have different quality characteristics. Poor quality water should be separated from good quality water. If drainage water is unsuitable for reuse, it should be disposed of in a sink of lower quality water.

In recent years, public concern has increased about the nature of agricultural drainage and the impact of agricultural drainage improvements on the quality of water resources and environment. This publication is designed to help citizens to understand the purpose and nature of agricultural drainage systems and water quality issues. It will be a highly useful reference tool for farm and project managers, consultants, engineers and students and researchers in the field of agricultural science." (jacket)