Chemigation Review

1
Chemigation Review

• Natural Resources Groundwater Technician
  Certification Training2007
• Dick Ehrman, NARD (as stolen from Rod DeBuhr,
  Water Department ManagerUpper Big Blue NRD)

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
2
Chemigation Study Materials

• Title 195 Nebraska Department of Environmental
  Control
• Nebraska Cooperative Extension EC 89-730-B
• Chemigation Management Video
• Chemigation Equipment Video

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
3
Why is Chemigation different from other methods
of application?

• Contamination of the irrigation water supply.

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
4
What is the reason for chemigation safety
devices?

• Prevent water supplies from being contaminated by
  chemicals

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
5
When are safety goggles required to chemigate?

• Required if so stated on the chemical label

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
6
How soon must a chemigation spill be reported?

• Within 24 hours

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
7
What is the reason for flushing the irrigation
system with clean water after chemigation?

• Prevent accumulation of precipitates in the system

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
8
Runoff is most likely to occur under these
conditions?

• Fine soils, compaction problems

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
9
Chemigation permit applications are filed at what
office?

• Natural Resources District

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
10
Required safety equipment? (Six components)

• Irrigation pipeline check valve
• Chemical injection line check valve
• Inspection port
• Low pressure drain
• Vacuum relief valve
• Interlock between injection unit and irrigation
  pumping plant

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source - Nebraska Cooperative Extension EC89-730-B
11
Where should the injection point be to reduce the
possibility of siphoning?

• Higher than the highest level of chemical in the
  chemical tank

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source - Nebraska Cooperative Extension EC89-730-B
12
What can happen if the injection system shuts
down and the irrigation pump keeps operating?

• Backflow through injection system, chemical spill
  near tank

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source - Nebraska Cooperative Extension EC89-730-B
13
Why should you the applicator check chemical
hoses?

• A ruptured or leaking hose will result in a
  chemical spill near the water source.

14
On a pesticide label, what is a route of entry
statement?

• It describes how the product can enter the human
  body

Source - Chemigation Equipment/Management Videos
Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
15
Why must a chemigation system be properly
maintained?

• Its the law

16
If the irrigation pipeline check valve leaks what
should the applicator do?

• repair or replace the irrigation pipeline check
  valve

Source - Chemigation Equipment/Management Videos
Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
17
Why should the first pivot nozzle be plugged
during chemigation?

• To reduce the risk of concentrating pesticide on
  the ground near the water source.

18
What is the purpose of the low-pressure drain?

• to discharge small amount of backflow or leakage
  if the irrigation pipeline check valve
  accidentally leaks.

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source - Nebraska Cooperative Extension EC89-730-B
19
What can happen if the irrigation system and the
injection system shut down ?

• Chemical/water mixture can flow into water source.

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source - Nebraska Cooperative Extension EC89-730-B
20
When should the interlock stop the Injection
system?

• Any time the irrigation pump stops.

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source - Nebraska Cooperative Extension EC89-730-B
21
What is the most important reason for reading the
pesticide label before apply the pesticide
through an irrigation system?

• To determine if the pesticide is labeled for
  application to the
• Crop
• Location
• Irrigation system

Source - Chemigation Equipment/Management Videos
Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
22
Chemicals should only be applied through this
type of irrigation system?

• A reliable system

Source - Chemigation Equipment/Management Videos
Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
23
What is required for safe and successful
chemigation?

• Personal attention and good management

Source - Chemigation Equipment/Management Videos
Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
24
What must a permitholder do after replacing any
chemigation safety equipment?

• Contact NRD to inspect replaced equipment with in
  72 hours

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
25
The Nebraska Chemigation Act defines a chemical
as

• A fertilizer, fungicide, herbicide, or pesticide.
• (THIS MAY CHANGE)

26
How often should chemical injection safety
equipment be inspected?

• Prior to each use

Source - Chemigation Equipment/Management Videos
Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
27
How long does a person have to comply once he has
been notified of a violation of the Chemigation
Act?

• 10 days

28
How long must a chemigation check valve stand
without leaking?

• 1 minute
• (applies to valves assembled after July 1987)

29
The minimum diameter of the inspection port on
the check valve is

• 4 inches

30
What is the minimum distance that the
low-pressure drain discharge must be from the
well?

• 20 feet

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source - Nebraska Cooperative Extension EC89-730-B
31
What is the minimum opening (cracking) pressure
required for a chemical injection valve?

• 10 pounds per square inch (psi)

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
32
How long is applicator certification valid?

• 4 years

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
33
Who must spills be reported to?

• Local NRD and DEQ
• Nebraska State Patrol (after 5pm and on weekends)

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
34
Who investigates Chemigation accidents?

• NRD and DEQ

35
When is the NRD Annual Chemigation Report due to
DEQ?

• March 1 of each year

36
How long is an emergency permit valid?

• Forty-five (45) days from the date of issuance.

Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
Source -Title 195 - NDEQ
37
When do Chemigation Permits (other than
emergency) expire?

• June 1 of the following year

38
How long does a permit holder have to report
changes in a chemigation application?

• 10 days

39
The NRD has _______days to approve or deny a
permit.

• 45

40
Who approves Chemigation Permits?

• Natural Resources District

41
When should a permit be immediately suspended?

• If the NRD or DEQ determines that there is an
  actual or imminent threat of danger to the public
  or the environment

42
THE END
Upper Big Blue NRD www.upperbigblue.org
GOOD LUCK