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SSI and risks of intensification: Case study on water quality in the Ethiopian Highlands

This study evaluated the effect of intensification on water quality in the Ethiopian Highlands by comparing a more intensified area (Robit) to a less intensified area (Dangila). Nitrate and phosphorus levels in groundwater and streams were higher in the more intensified Robit area, especially during rainy seasons and fertilizer application periods. Pesticide levels also exceeded standards. The study recommends promoting intensification in suitable areas with watershed management and guidelines on agrochemical use to protect water quality and ecosystem health.

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Water Management•
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SSI and risks of intensification: Case study on water quality in the Ethiopian Highlands Seifu A Tilahun, Feleke K. Sishu, Petra Schmitter, Tammo Steenhuis Small-scale irrigation: the answer to ecosystem health? SIWI World Water Week 2018 – 26th August
Different intensification levels & topography Robit (intensified) ~911 ha Dangila (less intensified) 5700 ha Aim: Evaluate the effect of intensification on water quality: shallow groundwater, streams and lake water bodies • Agricultural land use: 80% (Robit) and 60% (Dangila) • 0-10% slope class: 55% (Robit) and 80% (Dangila) • Irrigation in Robit > Dangila • Rainfall and OM of Soil in Dangila > Robit 72Kg/ha DAP & 43Kg/ha UREA 90Kg/ha DAP & 46Kg/ha UREA endosulfan (α+β) 256ml/ha
a Months Dec,16Jan,17Feb,17M ar,17Apr,17M ay,17Jun,17Jul,17Aug,17Sep,17Oct,17Nov,17Dec,17Jan,18Feb,18M ar,18Arl,18 Monthlyrainfall(mm) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 Grourdwaterleveldepth(m) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Rain fall Upslope Mid-slope Valley bottom b Months Dec,16Jan,17Feb,17M ar,17Apr,17M ay,17Jun,17Jul,17Aug,17Sep,17O ct,17Nov,17Dec,17Jan,18Feb,18M ar,18Arl,18 Monthlyrainfall(mm) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 Groundwaterleveldepth(m) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Groundwater Level Variation Over Time Robit Dangila Groundwater is preferred as a source for potable water
Groundwater monitoring: Nitrate Date Jan/17Feb/17M ar/17Apr/17M ay/17Jun/17 Jul/17Aug/17Sep/17O ct/17N ov/17D ec/17 Nitrateconcentration(mgl) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Rainfall Upslope Midslope Valley bottom Date Jan/17Feb/17M ar/17Apr/17M ay/17Jun/17 Jul/17Aug/17Sep/17O ct/17N ov/17D ec/17 Rainfall(mm) 0 200 400 600 800 1000 Robit Dangila • Rainy season: risk of levels above EPA drinking guidelines (10 mg l-1) • NO3 - signficantly lower in valley bottom and lowest in Dangila (p<0.05) • Nitrate in GW during dry period is higher in intensified areas than non- intensified areas while rain-fed depends on the amount of fertilizer applied
Date Jan/17Feb/17M ar/17Apr/17M ay/17Jun/17 Jul/17Aug/17Sep/17O ct/17N ov/17D ec/17 Rainfall(mm) 0 200 400 600 800 1000 Date Jan/17Feb/17M ar/17Apr/17M ay/17Jun/17 Jul/17Aug/17Sep/17O ct/17N ov/17D ec/17 Phosphorusconcentration(mgl) 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 Rainfall Upslope Midslope Valley bottom Robit Dangila Groundwater monitoring: Phosphorus • Higher concentration levels in Robit likely related to water transport in the landscape and soil OM (Robit < Dangila in OM) • Phosphorous in GW is likely related to the relative steepness of the watershed and OM condition.
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 Nov-16 Jan-17 Feb-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17 P-PO4 3- 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 Nov-16 Dec-16 Feb-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jul-17 Sep-17 Oct-17 0 2 4 6 8 10 0 2 4 6 8 10N-NO3 - Dangila Robit Streams: Nitrate and Phosphorus Nitrate in streams is higher in areas with higher annual rainfall Both phosphorous and nitrate temporal distribution depend on agricultural activity of areas and fertilizer application.
Groundwater monitoring: Pesticides Addis Wondimnew, MSc. 2017 • Endosulfa-α concentrations higher in summer (August) and the irrigation (October) period. The values exceeded MAL- value of EU 0.1 µg L-1 • Endosulfa-β in groundwater was not detected during dry season Endosulfa- M ay-16 A ug.-16 O ct.-16 M ar.-17 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 Sampling period Con.(g.L-1 )
Total Phosphorus: spatial 8 August December March • The largest freshwater body (Lake Tana) started to exceed the 0.2 mg/L of P - minimum level for eutrophication • Increasing trend in TP during Aug 2016 to Mar 2017 could be with high internal loading. Ateka et al. (draft)
Total Nitrogen: spatial 9 August December March • Concentration of TN is generally lower than WHO permissible limit • Decrease in load and increase in biological activity drive lower TN concentration. Ateka et al. (draft)
 Target and promote intensified SSI in suitable areas through evidence-base on agriculture-water-environment-health system  Reverse degradation and rehabilitate watersheds (river basins) for improved SSI  Link watershed management with irrigation  Support institutional changes and building to set guidelines, monitor, regulate agrochemical use and occurance in water bodies  Increase smallholder awarness on the impact of agrochemicals on water quality Key messages: Recommendations for ensuring small-scale irrigation and ecosystem health
Thank you We are grateful to Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Small-Scale Irrigation (ILSSI) and the Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab for their support of the Sustainably Intensified Production Systems Impact on Nutrition (SIPSIN) project funded by USAID. The research is conducted under a collaborative agreement between Bahir Dar University and the International Water Management Institute. This session was carried out and supported by the Feed the Future Innovation Laboratory for Small-Scale Irrigation funded by USAID, the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.