Safe & Easy Water for the Garden

[Nature Girl]

IS MY WATER SAFE & IF SO HOW DO I MOVE IT EASILY?

​

Buying property that is ready for renovation creates many lessons... I just replaced the 5 hp well pump that had been dormant for 20 plus years. The holding tank is the size of a herd of water buffalo. I run 300' of garden hose around buildings and through trees to water my chickens, turkeys and ducks. Gratefully, they are still alive.

This will be my first year plowing and gardening (with my first tractor). My concern is the safety of the water. I have not had any of the water tested on the property and would love a good source to do so.

I have a 3 acre lake (on the other side of the world), a creek at the bottom of the hill, and a spring that bubbles from the ground into a holding pool 25' round and about 2' deep. I also have a 275 gallon portable water tank. After the scare with spinach I'm a little concerned. The garden area is closest to the creek and the spring and I am without electricity in that area.

Is there a magic way to be sure the water is pure? Are there easy ways to move water up from the creek or spring for the garden? The creek always has water flowing even in the summer but it's very low and peeks underground at times. I wonder if it changes after a rain?

I would also like a water tester that works more that a one off shot since there are multiple times for it's usage.

Open to resources for: WATER TESTERS, MOVING WATER, SPRINKLER OR WATERING SYSTEMS FOR THE GARDEN. With the wealth of knowledge here it's amazing how much time, money and effort it saves. Thanks for sharing your expertise and successes.

Thanks a million!

 

[MarkV]

I would talk with your county extension service. In at least some states they offer water testing and if not they will know if water quality problems are an issue in your area.

That is one heck of a holding tank you have there. With a 5 hp pump and that big of tank do you have a really deep well?

MarkV

 

[Gary Fowler]

Just offhand I would think that your water from the spring would be safe for watering your plants especially if it flows all year. The contamination that came to the spinach was from them using human feces to fertilize with. I wouldnt drink it without testing, but just about any pond or well water is going to be ok for plants. Sunlight kills most bacteria anyway, but if you are concerned, get the county ag extension to test a sample.

 

[DAY]

Here PA the State Extension Service has lots of info on-line, and I assume Mo is similar.
Spring water is generally safe (potable) but get it tested. That 25' "holding pool" is a source of contamination (Birds, wind blown bacteria, etc). It need to be in a covered cistern, with an overflow outlet, so the water keeps flowing. We have been drinking ours for 10 years- and the previous owners did the same, since 1781.

Surface water, not so much. OK for livestock, not humans. The only way to get water uphill without a mechanical pump is a ram.

 

[nue2farm]

The County Extension Service will get your water tested, for a small fee. Have fun and stay safe......

 

[Gem99ultra]

I would be verfy doubtful that your open water in the lake, although spring fed, is actually pure. It is completely open to contaminates from many sources including bird droppings, various animal feces, fertilizers, blown debris, etc.

We have a completely covered bored well for garden and exterior use, and found it to contain coliform bacteria; very bad for humans but fine for garden use. The fix was, of course, a quick shot of Clorox. But - you'll want to let the chlorine in Clorox neutralize before using the water on greenery.

Your county agent will be able to direct you to the proper department for testing, however there is a charge. Our county charges $40 for a complete analysis. One time test coliform test kits runs about $10 at the lumber yard. Neither of these are probably what you'll want since you want to frequently monitor that water. I doubt you'll care wether or not the water has any iron, magnesium, etc. for garden use, so the $10 kit should be just fine. Better more or less multiple use test kits are available online.

My county agent suggested that annual testing was adequate for water from that well, as it is for garden and/or animal use only. One more suggestion - try to estimate the volume of water that you're treating and use no more Clorox than required. A little bit goes a long way.

 

[Nature Girl]

Yes the well is 653' deep but the pump is about 200' since we have a really high water table. The holding tank was a resource for the cabins (all need to be rehabbed) on the property so the system is not your normal home type well.

I will check out the County Extension and see about testing the water and it's great to know that the plants will enjoy the well water. Thanks a million.

 

[CBW1999]

I would evaluate your water usage and consider if you need a storage tank as big as that. You don't want water sitting stagnant in a tank- it can cause all sorts of problems. A smaller tank will allow for more frequent "turn over" of the water supply.

It might not hurt to get the water tested several times throughout the year initially, especially if there are wetter times that may flush out contaminants from other areas. If there was ever a manure lagoon on or around the property and, has not been emptied in a long time, the over flow cans be a heck of a thing. I know of a couple of wells here in Northern vermont that- 20 years after a logoon flood, are still contaminated.

Don't want to scare you entirely.....sorry. Sanitation wise, i would look at an unltraviolet light system. there are several places on-line that sell/have info. A good sediment filtration system for a well is a good idea as well.. When the water is tested you will also find out the PH and hardness, which would also require treatment.

I've been tweaking my well system for 10 years and still don't have it quite where I want it. Of course, this is likely because it is not my profession.....

best of luck to you!

 

[groundcover]

Easy to get the well water tested and chorox bleach if needed. Looks like you have well,pump and tank enough to water a lot of stuff there ! Run some black poly pipe around the property and stick a "T" and hose bib every 100 feet or so and life will be good. You could also run a gas pump from the pond or spring to irrigate , works for me, 11/2" pump and 11/2 poly pipe, works great.

 

[Redneck in training]

Here PA the State Extension Service has lots of info on-line, and I assume Mo is similar.
Spring water is generally safe (potable) but get it tested. That 25' "holding pool" is a source of contamination (Birds, wind blown bacteria, etc). It need to be in a covered cistern, with an overflow outlet, so the water keeps flowing. We have been drinking ours for 10 years- and the previous owners did the same, since 1781.

Surface water, not so much. OK for livestock, not humans. The only way to get water uphill without a mechanical pump is a ram.

Or fluidyne pump powered by heat (sun in example).