Quality Farm Dugouts

Dugouts that are properly planned, designed, constructed, maintained and treated will provide a dependable supply of good quality water for your farm.

Try answering the following questions:

Dugout Water Supply

What are the annual water requirements for your farm?
If you expanded your operation, could your existing water sources meet the demand?
Is your farm water supply drought proof?
Do you know how to size your farm dugout?
Do you know why it's important to construct deep dugouts on the Prairies?
Do you and your dugout contractor know how to properly construct a dugout?

Dugout Quality

Do you know why dugout water often becomes black and smelly?
Do you know how to properly select and install dugout equipment to improve water quality?
Do you know the health risks associated with using untreated dugout water?
Do you know how and when to test the quality of your dugout water?
Are you aware of what treatment systems are effective for dugout water?
Do you know how the activities on the land affect the water quality of your dugout?
Do you have a method of troubleshooting problems with your dugout water system?

These and many other questions are answered in "Quality Farm Dugouts".

Quality Farm Dugouts is a workbook developed by Water Specialists from across the Canadian Prairies. It is designed to help you develop and maintain your dugout water system so that it meets all your farm water needs for years to come. The workbook provides a systems approach to improving both the supply and quality of water starting with the dugout watershed and continuing to its final use. The workbook contains 9 modules and 5 worksheets.

The 9 modules are:

1. History:

Provides background on the use of farm dugouts on the Canadian prairies.

2. Understanding Prairie Dugouts:

Gives an understanding of some of the unique aspects of the prairie climate and the challenges involved in securing and maintaining a good supply of dugout water.

3. Planning:

Learn to size a farm dugout and protect water quality through best management practices.

4. Design and Construction:

Learn about the importance of proper design and construction for ensuring a dependable supply of good water.

5. Operating Systems:

Discusses water intakes, pumps, piping, aeration and remote livestock watering systems .

6. Water Quality for Domestic Drinking Water:

Identifies the health risks and water testing procedures necessary for guaranteeing a safe dugout water supply.

7. Water Treatment for Domestic Water Supplies:

Deals with water treatment processes and treatment systems required to produce good quality water, effectively and safely.

8. Dugout Management:

Looks at ways to monitor changes in dugout water quality and apply treatment strategies such as aeration and chemical control of algae and plants.

9. Trouble Shooting:

Provides tables to assist with diagnosis and solution of dugout water supply and quality problems based on symptoms.

To obtain a copy of this publication call the nearest PFRA office or local office of the agencies listed below, or mail you name address, postal code and phone number to the agency of your choice.

Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Publications office
7000-113 Street,
Edmonton, AB, T6H 5T6
Phone toll free: 1-800-292-5697

Manitoba Water Services Board
2022 Currie Boulevard
P.O.Box. 22080
Brandon, MB, R7A 6Y9
Phone collect: (204) 726-6290
Fax: (204) 724-3929

Sask Water
Suite 330
350-3rd Avenue North
Saskatoon, SK, S7K 2H6
Phone toll free: 1-866-837-8420
Fax: (306) 933-6820