Reading Time: 3 minutes Water cleanliness should be a top priority for producers when considering water quality for spray operations, according to Manitoba provincial weeds specialist Kim Brown.
Water contaminants can tie up active ingredients in herbicides, rendering them ineffective.
Dirty water sabotages spray control
Spraying without clean water is a great way to send money down the drain
Mountain View County landowners say industrial overuse of water hurts area
Gravel pit mining among key concerns as area residence report water quality issues
Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s a tale of landowners versus industrial development. Landowners and concerned citizens from the South McDougal Flats area spoke recently at a hearing about the area structure plan for their region. Neil Konner, who owns land in the area, said many people in Mountain View County are concerned about the use of water, specifically in […] Read more
Weather swing prompts questions on spray water quality
Many areas have seen significant changes in water quality, which can affect the impact of herbicides
Reading Time: 2 minutes You may think you know what to expect when drawing water for the sprayer. That assumption may come at a cost, says expert Tom Wolf of Agrimetrix Research and Training. Swings in weather, from drought last year to wet this year, can affect water quality, said the author of the popular blog, Sprayers 101. “Things […] Read more
Time to watch for toxic bacteria
Reading Time: < 1 minute It’s the time of year when producers are being warned about the dangers of blue-green algae in dugouts. The toxic bacteria can cause organ damage or even death. Once temperatures reach 25 C, producers should look at the water surface for algae that resembles “blue-green scum, pea soup or grass clippings suspended in the water,” […] Read more
Tips for your dugout inspection this fall
Reading Time: < 1 minute When checking your dugouts this fall, start with the area that feeds into the dugout, says a water specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. ‘Make sure this area is free of debris that might flow into your dugout,” said Dan Benson. “This area should be mowed and kept clear of trees and weeds.” Leaves add […] Read more
Spring is the time for testing your farm’s water supply
Testing for every possible contaminant is expensive — here’s what should be at the top of the checklist
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s up to rural landowners to keep their water safe — and spring is the ideal time to get that job done, says a water quality expert. “Winter can accumulate pollutants, then spring thaw and run-off carries the previous six months’ worth of pollutants down to groundwater and sideways towards surface supplies,” said Mitch Golay, […] Read more
Tips to help you protect your household water
The water that enters your home has a long journey from start to finish, and along the way, it can pick up a lot of contaminants. Once it reaches your municipal water treatment facility it is treated and distributed to the public. During this process chemical and physical processes are used to filter and disinfect[...]
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Here’s where to find well water resources
There are workshops, fact sheets, videos, well records, and online tools to help you maintain good water quality
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta water well owners have access to a host of information, tools, resources, and experts to help them. The Working Well program (www.workingwell.alberta.ca) offers province-wide, hands-on workshops for well owners to learn the basics of groundwater, well construction, common well problems, contamination risks, importance of well reclamation, and best management practices. The website also has[...]
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If the flow starts to slow, contact a water well contractor
Routine maintenance can extend the life of the well on your farm and ensure good water quality
Reading Time: < 1 minute There’s no predicting how long a well will last. “Some wells can last for a very long time. I have worked on wells that are so old they quit making the parts for them in 1929,” said Rene Arts, a water well contractor from Westlock. “These aren’t the norm, but I still keep a stock[...]
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Is your well water safe to drink?
Water testing available free of charge through Alberta Health Services
Reading Time: 2 minutes AARD Release / Urbanites seldom worry about whether or not their water is safe to drink because regulations require municipalities to treat and test water quality on a regular basis. But it’s not so simple for rural residents who rely on wells, as they are responsible for managing and maintaining their wells, and ensuring their[...]
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