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Farmers Urged to Choose Water Carefully
When it comes to water on the Prairies, most producers will take whatever they can get, even if it means pumping from another source. However, they should be cautious about the water they are getting as no two sources are ever quite the same.
Following a dry spring with little runoff and an arid summer in 2001, many producers were left with empty or near-empty dugouts. This spring, producers may be facing the same situation and choose to pump water into their dugouts from nearby sources. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind before pumping to ensure the new source is doing more good than harm.
When taking water from any source, you should anticipate and prepare for a change in water quality. The water in alternative sources such as sloughs may be several years old and have high levels of accumulated salts, suspended particles, nutrients, and organic matter. This means you'll experience more algae growth, taste and odour problems, and your water treatment systems will be challenged.
The first tell-tale sign of bad water a producer will notice is increased odour. Increased algae growth and concentration of organic matter will boost oxygen use in dugout water, causing the smell. Constant aeration will help to ensure the water does not become anaerobic. Anaerobic conditions give the water a foul taste and odour and trigger nutrient cycling.
Other indicators producers should watch for when pumping water in from unknown sources are increased salt use by the water softener, and plugged screens on sprayers. Herbicide performance, livestock water consumption, and quality of life can also be adversely affected by these changes.
Pumping can also introduce leeches and unique algae types. Screening the water at the intake can minimize some of these problems. Because water deteriorates during the summer as it warms up and begins to evaporate, pumping should be started early in the season to obtain the best water possible.
Testing slough water before pumping is crucial. Often sloughs in drought areas are very saline and undesirable as a water source. If more than one source is being used, inexpensive tests can and should be completed to compare water quality. Regular water testing is recommended to ensure the water is acceptable for the intended application.
Pumping equipment can be rented in Saskatchewan from Sask Water by calling 306-694-3980 and in Manitoba from the Manitoba Water Services Board by calling 204-726-6076.
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