Deadly Blue Green Algae

[Jstpssng]

40 years ago it wasn't at all uncommon to be driving down the road and see a spring where people stopped to get water. Often these had been used since time immemorial, and some were once used to bottle water. (My father had one of these on one of his properties.) Now most of them have been capped, and if there is one available the landowner is responsible to have it tested every year. I had one dug out on my property and when we hit ledge the water was boiling out in three places. During a drought I pumped 10,000 gallons of water out of it before it went dry. Yet it failed the water test, and I never tried to fix it.

One thing that I have and should be carrying is a water filter; I can put a quart of unclean water in and it will (supposedly) come out the other end clean.

 

[Diggin It]

The other "good" sources of water were melted snow, and intentionally collected rainwater (assuming there isn't a whole lot of air pollutants in the area --

I'm reminded of a situation many years back. There was an extended power outage. I was talking to a neighbor who was concerned about where he would get water since his well pump wouldn't work without power. I looked around the several acres of yards with 6-8" of new fresh snow and the 500 gallon propane tank feeding his gas stove and furnace ....

 

[Diggin It]

40 years ago it wasn't at all uncommon to be driving down the road and see a spring where people stopped to get water.

20 years ago, this house didn't have water. Previous owner tried to get a well drilled and came up dry (pun intended). Owners before them had a 1,000 gallon cistern that would be filled by a local water truck. When I first moved in, that all I had. Every few weeks, I'd had to call the guy and have water delivered. He'd go to a certain place along the road, drop a hose in a running spring, start his gasoline pump and fill up. I'd pour a cup or so of bleach in the cistern as he dumped the load. Never got sick or had any problems.

Luckily that only lasted about 5 years before the county system installed water lines to most every one.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^
You're really knocking out the play on words today!

 

[Diggin It]

^^^ I just looked at my electric meter and the last three digits are 666, so what can I say ....

 

[Ken_f]

Also, it's not really algae, it's a bacteria.

Cyanobacteria - Wikipedia

So, I have a couple of areas (That I made) on my property to tank some water (all surface) for the critters. This year weather wise we have been very hot and dry and I can tell that the critters are not visiting it as much (game cams) and I am seeing it quite green. Well, I want to see if I can clean this up so today I added 2 of these tablets. So, will see if it gets better in the next few weeks. The stuff is not cheap but if it works I guess I will keep it going at least in the hot months.

 

[3Ts]

Interestingly enough that article includes links to the same site I posted earlier -- so as I've said in prior posts this seems like a lack of education issue that's resulting in people being surprised. . . .

I think there is a lack of basic education in sanitation everywhere! When I was growing up, washing your hands after the bathroom and before you ate was a given. Now, businesses have to post signs, etc reminding their employees . . .

 

[Diggin It]

I notice moss growing on all kinds of seldom moved stuff around here and I have never experienced that before.

never experience what?

Moss. Even on roads.


I've seen it in places that don't get as much Sun as others.

Nice play on words. :thumbsup:

Yes it was :laughing:

Y'all thought I was funnin' ya', didn't ya'?





Just a few small patches left. Used to be a lot more, even out into the cracks in the pavement, but the recent dry weather has killed a lot of it off.

 

[Industrial Toys]

 

[MossRoad]

View attachment 617698

Now that's funny! :laughing: