| In semi-arid groundwater basins, agricultural irrigation leachate is often the largest water source for aquifer recharge. Fertilizers added to agricultural soils can thus significantly alter the quality of aquifers from which nearby communities draw drinking water. Affected populations frequently include economically disadvantaged rural communities, for whom costly water treatment and non-treatment options may be infeasible. We propose the utilization of clean "recharge buffer zones" between such communities and nearby sources of N-rich recharge water. In this paper, we identify the relationships between proximity to a developing community and crop fertilization, nitrate leaching, and crop economic revenues. We then explore the economic feasibility of establishing land-use buffer zones around disadvantaged communities. We found that alfalfa production and vineyards, in conjunction with recharge basins, are agronomically promising alternative land uses that would improve recharge water quality to these communities. |
