Within the Good Agricultural Practices necessary for the production of safe and quality food for consumers, there is a section on the use of water.

Water is used at different points throughout production, for example, for personnel hygiene, equipment and tool cleaning, agrochemical application and crop irrigation. For the latter, there are different application methods, such as rolling or gravity irrigation, flooding, drip, sprinkling, among others; and it is at this point where we must ask ourselves the question, is irrigation water safe?

Companies have established sampling programs within their activities, taking samples at different points of use, with the help of trained personnel for analysis.

In this way it is possible to know its quality and determine whether it is suitable for use or not. It is important to know that all analyses must be performed by laboratories accredited in compliance with ISO 17025 or equivalent (for example, with the civil association of Mexican Accreditation Organization (Entidad Mexicana de Acreditación, A.C (EMA)) and have the approved methods for the technique and type of analysis to be performed.

For more information about water quality parameters, please consult the following Mexican Official Standards (NOMs):

– MEXICAN OFFICIAL STANDARD NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, ESTABLISHING THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LIMITS OF CONTAMINANTS IN THE DISCHARGE OF WASTEWATER IN NATIONAL WATERS AND PROPERTY (irrigation water)

– MEXICAN OFFICIAL STANDARD NOM-127-SSA1-1994, “ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, WATER FOR HUMAN USE AND CONSUMPTION-PERMISSIBLE QUALITY LIMITS AND TREATMENTS TO WHICH WATER MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR POTABILIZATION” (handling and product contact water).

How to ensure the quality of irrigation water?

For this purpose, different activities should be implemented, consisting of:

– Inspecting water sources and supply networks on a frequent basis, in order to avoid the presence of animals, drainage water, chemicals or any other factor that could affect water quality during water distribution.

– Have trained and conscientious personnel.

– Approved products can be applied for water treatment, in recommended quantities and methods.

– Have documentary evidence of all these activities performed.

The Veggies from Mexico community, through Eleven Rivers Growers share the commitment to produce safe and quality food for their consumers. On a weekly basis the member farms of the community receive internal audit services, ensuring their constant compliance with food safety programs.