How can I read the EC of my irrigation water report to know if it is safe?

EC on a water report stands for electrical conductivity and it measures how much dissolved salt is in your irrigation water, usually given in dS/m. The higher the EC, the saltier the water and the greater the risk to your crop and soil over time. Low EC water is generally safe, a middle range needs care like good drainage and salt tolerant crops, and high EC water can damage sensitive crops and build salt in the soil. The exact safe limits depend on your crop, your soil type, and your drainage, so a number that is fine for one farmer can be a problem for another. Do not read EC alone either, because the report also gives RSC and SAR which matter for whether the water is sodic, and those change the advice. The right step is to take the full water report to your KVK or the irrigation department and ask them to classify your water and tell you which crops and management suit it. Avoid acting on the EC number by itself.