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. I I 0 t.~ I ("'OJ ~ 0'1l .... I I I I I I I J I I I I I I I Ground water quality also varies across the state. The quality of ground water in the aquifers of western Kansas is generally very good, while much of the ground water in other parts of the state is of poor quality due to a high mineral content. The absence of large quantities and the presence of high concentrations of mineral matter in the ground waters of eastern Kansas have discouraged their use for municipal and industrial purposes. Organic pollution is quite isolated and, for the most part, not extensive due to the long-term control program exercised by the state, municipalities, and industries. Sediment control is a problem of general concern in KanSas. It is estimated that annually, 48 million tons of soil are eroded from the Kansas landscape. A portion of this sediment finds its way into terraces, farm ponds, small watershed structures, or large reservoirs. The retention of sediment as close to the point from which it occurs is the objective of on-going programs promulgated by the Soil Conserva- tion Districts and individual farmers. These efforts are extensive in Kansas and reduction in erosion is apparent. Further control, however, can be attained through the utilization of current knowledge. The amount of pesticides (including both insecticides and herbi- cides) can be reduced considerably in the waterways of Kansas by water and erosion control practices. There is very little evidence at this time that pesticides are reaching the ground water storage reservoirs. However, there is evidence that considerable amounts of nitrates are reaching shallow ground water reservoirs in some sections of the state. The disposal of brines pumped from the oil production zones in Kansas have, since the early 1900's, posed severe water pollution problems in the streams. The peak of the pollution problem was reached in the mid-30's when actions were begun to curtail and control the disposal of brines. Today, there are only isolated instances where salt water is being discharged to the surface of the ground. The con- trol mechanism has been quite effective in placing the brines in deep geological formations either as a permanent method of disposal or as an adjunct to secondary recovery of oil. However, the salt discharged to the surface during the early days of oil production in Kansas is still leaching and causing some streams to have higher than normal sodium chloride or calcium chloride content than they would have under natural conditions. CompetinR Uses Problem areas evolving from competing uses of water are also evident. For example, protection of the environment often conflicts with energy requirements for power production, irrigation, water quality control, and municipal and industrial uses. Increasing the degree of environmental protection either requires the use of more 23