Considerations for Tile Drainage-Water Quality Studies in Temperate Regions

Experimental designs of 14 subsurface drainage-water quality studies conducted over the past 18 years are reviewed. To more accurately determine mass contaminant flux and processes, more intense monitoring of drain discharge rate and drainage water quality is needed than in most past studies. A recently installed field scale system of subsurface drainage-water quality plots and associated equipment, capable of intense, year round monitoring, is described and preliminary data showing performance of the system is presented. The material presented should be of interest to those planning and designing drainage-water quality studies, or refitting existing drainage installation for water quality investigations.