Leamington Area Drip Irrigation Incorporated System Treatment
Agency: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Location: Ontario
Treatment Type: Toxicant
Treatment Method Used: pH Manipulation
LADII (Leamington Area Drip Irrigation Incorporated) is an irrigation system for agriculture, formed in 2006. Farmers share access to the system of pipes, running 36 km from an intake point at Pigeon Bay, Lake Erie. Acid injection trials, using phosphoric acid, were applied to the LADII between 2012 and 2014 to decrease pH in water pipes. An 85% phosphoric acid solution achieved the desired pH of 6.9. This pH reduced invasive mussel settlements and induced mortality. When the phosphoric acid solution was diluted to 40%, to avoid corrosive effects on equipment, decontamination effectiveness was variable, and the risk of infestation was higher in summer seasons.
Partner Agencies:
Leamington Area Drip Irrigation Incorporated farmers, Union Water, RNT Consulting.
Contact:
Patrick Handyside, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada