Water contaminants can tie up active ingredients in herbicides, rendering them ineffective.

“If you’ve got dirty water, (substances in there) will actually antagonize or will tie up glyphosate and diquat and they will not work at all,” she said.

Glyphosate and diquat can also be weakened if bound to soil particles from dusty leaves.

Dirty water on the farm must be filtered, Brown said. She suggested a test for water cleanliness by filling a five-gallon pail. The bottom of the pail should be visible.

Mud and organic matter are also only part of the picture. There are also chemical issues to deal with, like concentrations of mineral ions and salts.

Water qualities such as hardness, presence of bicarbonates, iron and manganese all play a role in herbicide efficacy. The latter two are a particular note in irrigation, because oxidation can lead to formation of precipitates that can plug screens and nozzles.

“This is something that cannot be corrected with additives. This is something where, if you do have high iron and high manganese source(s) in water, then you need to try to find an alternative water source for spraying,” Brown said.

In water test results, total dissolved solids represents all the calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphate, chloride and bicarbonate found in water. The first three are cations, which have a positive charge. The latter three are anions with a negative charge.

“These are basically the problem ions that cause issues when we’re spraying,” Brown said.

Water tests also show pH levels. There’s little information on how extreme pH levels affect herbicides, Brown noted, but readings of six to eight generally indicate good water. Too far outside that range, and producers should look elsewhere to fill their tanks.

Salinity is sometimes included on water tests. It can serve as a substitute for a total dissolved solids reading and is easier and cheaper to measure at a lab, Brown said. If the electrical conductivity numbers used to measure salinity are less than 500 in the test results, there likely won’t be enough to negatively affect on pesticides.

Challenges with hard water boil down to high levels of calcium and magnesium. Most water tests report this in terms of calcium carbonate (CACO3) equivalent. Ions such as iron, potassium and nitrate could also be present, but are less significant.

“They do have a contribution to water hardness, but the big players are calcium and magnesium,” Brown said.

Weak acid herbicides like glyphosate and amine formulations of 2,4-D are among chemistries in the crosshairs when water is too hard. Water hardness above 250-230 parts per million (ppm) CACO3 equivalent should be treated.

Bicarbonates are usually associated with high sodium in water. They’re a problem for chemistries like 2,4-D amine, tralkoxydim, sethoxydim and clethodim. Water with levels above 500 ppm should be treated.

Data from Saskatchewan Agriculture Water Quality and Herbicides suggests that water hardness must be under 350 ppm CACO3 equivalent if using a low glyphosate rate on annual grass weeds. Between 350 and 700 ppm, water volume should be reduced.

“Basically, you want less of that water and more of the glyphosate in the mix, because that means there’s less of these cations, less of the calcium and magnesium that’s going to tie up the glyphosate,” Brown said.

Increasing the glyphosate concentration has downsides. Good spray coverage is critical for weed control results, especially when glyphosate is mixed with burnoff products.

“A lot of that is (from) water volume, so the only reason you would need to be dropping the water volume back is if you’ve got hard water and you’re not treating it,” Brown said.

If producers have hard water and want to use 2,4-D, she suggested they either find a better-quality water source or use an ester formulation. With the amine formulation, farmers should use the highest recommended rate and possibly a non-ionic surfactant at a rate of one gallon per 1,000 gallons.

To mitigate the effects of hard water, Manitoba’s crop protection guide suggests reducing water volumes in the tank and adding ammonium sulphate at 2.4 litres per acre. If the water is extremely hard, seek another source.

The post Dirty water sabotages spray control appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

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 gravel pit mining. The county is between Calgary and Red Deer, in the Calgary-Edmonton corridor.

“Gravel pits are used for multiple things – road construction and facets of the construction industry. Crushing is the big thing,” he said.

Landowners and concerned citizens demanded a pause to the area structure plan, but their plea was overturned at a March 27 hearing.

The group wanted to stop the area structure plan, because of extreme drought and water shortage. The drought in the area is stage 4, but could move to stage 5, the most severe.

“Right now, with the drought conditions, people in the area here are experiencing well water problems,” said Konner.

Konner knows of at least two people who have copper and lead in their water.

“They’re looking at expensive filtration systems anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000,” he said.

“Last year everything was clear. My opinion is because the water table has dropped so much because of the drought condition, through the aquifers.”

Konner said gravel pits are encroaching on the area and affecting the water, and that councilors present at the March 27 hearing voted for the area structure plan without completion of all the studies needed.

“We voiced our concerns about the necessity of the water issue which they completely ignored. They will not take into account the amount of water taken out of this area for fracking,” he said.

“Mountain View County has fast tracked this area structure plan for the sake of development and not listening to the concerns and the wellbeing of citizens in the area,” he said.

“Water is non-renewable. Once you take the water away, it’s not going to come back again, unless you have huge amounts of precipitation in the air. With the increase in population, and the industry, we’ve got a protracted negative effect with the consumption of water in the area,” he said.

The post Mountain View County landowners say industrial overuse of water hurts area appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

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 do change,” he said. “And also, our herbicides and our use patterns also change slightly. For example, we’ve had a slight increase in price — a significant increase in price in some cases — of some herbicides. And that’s an incentive then for farmers to use lower rates.”

Water quality becomes even more critical with low-rate glyphosate, which is generally out of favour when prices are lower, said Wolf, noting he’s taken lots of recent calls about water quality.

Most of those are on water conditioning and hardness — issues for producers who draw from groundwater rather than surface water dugouts. Changing water levels from last year’s drought may have shifted the quality of that groundwater.

In many areas of Manitoba, flooding has increased turbidity (suspended particles and sediment whipped up by water flows) in surface water sources.

“The turbidity is the big issue, turbidity and organic suspended solids,” said Wolf. “Those are very difficult to actually get around.”

Both glyphosate and Reglone are seriously impacted by the amount of suspended solids in water, but that measure isn’t always included in test result, he noted. Some tests may label water generally as appearing clear, “but how clear is that exactly?

“What does it mean for herbicides? That’s really unclear right now,” said Wolf.

“There are turbidity indices that some water tests provide, and we don’t know how those are related to efficacy. We really only know the most rudimentary of information.”

While turbidity may be visible, chemistry is not, said Kim Brown-Livingston, Manitoba’s provincial weed specialist.

She, too, urges producers to test their water.

They may need help to interpret the test results, said Wolf.

“Water test results look like a chemistry exam,” he said. “They have all of these terms and so I think it is difficult to know, because we don’t all have that chemistry background. Consulting with an expert is advisable rather than guessing.”

The post Weather swing prompts questions on spray water quality appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

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,” says Shawn Elgert, an agricultural water engineer with the province.

“One rule of thumb is that if you can grab it as a solid mass in your hand, it is not blue-green algae.”

A copper product can be used for treatment but the dugout water should not be used for up to a month afterwards.

For more info, call 310-FARM (3276) and ask to speak to a water specialist.

The post Time to watch for toxic bacteria appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

‘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 nutrients so deciduous trees should be no closer than 165 feet and conifers should be no closer than 65 feet.

Many areas had big rainfalls this year and that can mean algae and cyanobacteria blooms next year. So the aeration system needs to be in good shape. In addition to confirming the pump is working, the aeration line should be pulled to shore. At that time, inspect the line, check valve, and diffuser.

“If you use a floating intake, it should be inspected and cleaned,” said Benson. “It is best done by pulling your floating intake to shore. Your intake should be lowered to about four to five feet below the water surface. In most situations, it gives sufficient depth to provide water after the float freezes in the ice. You should also ensure that the intake line is weighted correctly, so it stays below the ice during winter.”

Because dugout aeration systems can result in open areas or weak ice, there should be “highly visible warning signs and a fluorescent snow fence around the open-water area. For greater safety, it is best if farmyard dugouts are fenced to avoid unauthorized access.”

The post Tips for your dugout inspection this fall appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

“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, manager of Red Deer-based Central Labs, which does water testing for several industries including agriculture.

The risks of a contaminated water supply cannot be overstated, he added.

“I come from a farm in eastern Saskatchewan. I’ve come to realize that the viability and success of a farming operation — or even just a residence — is directly hinged on its access to the amount and quality of water,” said Golay.

“I’ve seen lots of health problems in my family and… much of it may have been due to the quality of water we drank from our farm well. When we had dry years, we had to ration the water supply and limit our lifestyles to maintain the water supply or else truck water in.”

Alberta Health Services recommends well owners do a bacteriological analysis up to four times per year and a chemical analysis every three to five years. Lists of water sample bottle pickup/drop-off locations can be found at albertahealthservices.ca (search for ‘sample your water’).

The more you test, the lower your risk, but the schedule can be flexible depending on specific risk factors, said Golay.

“If you have porous soil and lots of rain with potential pollutants nearby, you may want to test often. If you don’t have cattle or other livestock poop which can run off, a test every year or two may suffice. The same goes if you don’t have natural water sources with things like giardia or other natural contaminants in proximity to your well.”

Identify the biggest risks

Farmers sometimes bring Golay a sample and ask, ‘What’s wrong with my water?’

That question can be answered, but requires a series of tests and that’s costly. So it pays to know what you’re looking for.

“There are so many chemicals and contaminants — natural or synthetic — that labs can test for,” he said “We often get samples in and someone asks, ‘What is making this water do this?’ Unfortunately, if we tested for every chemical or biological factor out there, that would be too extensive. We have to be told what to test for before we can test for it.”

But a few common ‘go-to’ tests cover the majority of issues with rural drinking water in Alberta.

First, there are some particularly harmful bacteria that should be checked for in a well or surface water used for consumption. One of these is E. coli.

“E. coli is present in nature but highly abundant in fecal matter,” he said. “The one strain, O157, is extremely dangerous to humans in that it’s very viable in human bodies due to temperature, pH, and other factors. When you hear of people getting E. coli infections, it’s very often the O157 strain.”

It’s enough of a concern that Canada Mortgage and Housing requires proof it is “not present” in water supplies before it will back a mortgage.

“When we test for other ‘total’ coliforms, we’re identifying other bacteria that originated from surface contamination — in the case of construction or recent repairs, for example — and other disease-causing organisms such as giardia, also known as ‘beaver fever,’” said Golay.

“If you’re having trouble with your water source you may also want to look at things like sulphur or iron bacteria or perhaps ligands or tannins, which we’ve found to be quite prevalent in central Alberta.”

Other water contaminants

If there is oilfield activity in the area, testing for hydrocarbons is a good idea, said Golay.

“Some of these hydrocarbons, believe it or not, actually ‘dissolve’ in water and in very low concentrations they can be harmful. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene — the BTEX chemicals — are very common items to be concerned with, even though some of these are naturally occurring. Outside of these, different hydrocarbon fractions may be present from adjacent oil activity.”

There is a long list of metals — such as lead and arsenic — that have health impacts over a long period of time or with high levels of exposure, said Golay. Non-metals such as chloride and nitrates can also affect the safety (or potability) of drinking water. Other factors that can impact potability include hardness, pH, and total salt levels.

Sodium, calcium, and magnesium are also types of metals. Our bodies require them, but not too much of them.

“Health Canada has a very long interpretation of what levels of all of these are good, bad or ‘esthetically unpleasant,’” said Golay. “It is best to consult a health professional or the Government of Canada website on water quality.”

Regulations on water quality and related information can be found at the Government of Canada website (search for “water quality and health”).

A representative sample is key for any water test.

“A general rule of thumb when it comes to taking a water sample is ‘the results are only as good as the sample,’” he said. “Don’t turn on taps and get the first bit of water out of a hydrant — some cow may have licked the end of the hydrant. Let it run a bit and get water right from its source.

“The same applies to surface water. Don’t grab a small bit of sample from beside a pile of cow dung. Instead, gather maybe a bit from one side of the pond, a bit from the other side, etc. and combine them for an overall result.”

The post Spring is the time for testing your farm’s water supply appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

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 fact sheets on topics such as well construction, maintenance, and protecting the groundwater supply along with videos on how to shock-chlorinate a well and take water samples. (Fact sheets and brochures can also be obtained by calling 310-3773 or emailing ESRD.Info-Centre@gov.ab.ca.)

Water Wells that Last is a comprehensive publication on well maintenance and groundwater protection — it can be found at www.agriculture.alberta.ca (search for ‘wells that last’).

• Read more: Don’t let biofouling slow the flow

The Alberta Water Well Information Database contains approximately 500,000 well records, with nearly 4,000 new drilling reports added annually. The database includes chemical analysis reports up to the end of 1986, springs, flowing shot holes, test holes, and pump tests conducted on the wells. It can be found at www.aep.alberta.ca (search for ‘well water database’).

The Rural Water Quality Information Tool assesses the quality and suitability of water sources for privately owned and operated water supplies based on the data you provide. It assesses water used for human consumption, livestock, irrigation, and chemical spraying applications. The site also provides information on sampling, testing, and treatment. The tool can be found at www.agriculture.alberta.ca (search for ‘rural water quality’). More information of water sampling and understanding test results can be found at www.myhealth.alberta.ca (search for ‘water sample testing’).

The Alberta Water Well Drilling Association has a list of licensed water well contractors, suppliers, and other resources at its website, www.awwda.ca.

The post Here’s where to find well water resources appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

“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 of supplies on hand specifically to service these older wells.”

If you notice a dramatic change in your water quality or a significant change in the flow rate of your well, you should contact a licensed well water contractor to determine what is causing the problem and what can be done about it.

Common causes of well deterioration include mineral encrustation, sand production, and biofouling. In all three cases, well deterioration occurs both to the well screen and casing, along with the surrounding formation itself.

“If it’s a broken part, such as a pump, you can generally fix the problem,” said Arts. “If it’s a hole in the steel casing and it is 100 feet down, you likely have to replace the well.”

If a new well needs to be drilled, choose a licensed contractor who has experience in your area and knows the local geology.

There is no simple, short answer as to how long a water well will continue to produce an acceptable quantity of water of good quality. Routine maintenance can extend the life of your well and understanding your well can help you detect changes in water quality before it becomes a more serious problem.

For information on topics such as well maintenance, how well systems work, and how groundwater affects them, go to Workingwell.alberta.ca. The fall series of Working Well workshops is just ending, but you can request one for your area by email or by calling 310-3773.

The post If the flow starts to slow, contact a water well contractor appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

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 water supply is tested regularly and is safe to drink.

“Even though testing is free of charge for residential users through Alberta Health Services, we’re finding that some people aren’t testing their water,” said Debra Mooney, an environmental health consultant with Alberta Health and an advocate for the Working Well program.

“People need to know what’s in their water. Some well water has high nitrate levels which can be harmful to small infants when mixed in their formula. Other harmful substances can also make their way into wells and since water quality can change over the lifetime of a well, regular testing is the only way to be certain that well water is safe for human consumption.”

Testing well water on a regular basis also provides a baseline of the water quality, which can be very important to a well owner if things go wrong.

• More from AARD on the Alberta Farmer Express: Funding to replace trees killed by mountain pine beetles

“Routine testing can pick up changes in water quality early on and help a well owner realize that certain maintenance procedures need to be done to preserve water quality and increase the lifetime of a well,” said Jamie Wuite, executive director of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s irrigation and farm water division.

“A baseline is also important information to have when you suspect your water quality has been negatively affected by another party. If you never tested your water quality, it’s hard to prove that it has been negatively affected.”

As well, land use changes or structural degradation of an aging well can change or affect water quality over time. Online resources and free community-based workshops offered by the Working Well program provide well owners with the information and tools they need to properly care for their wells.

For more information, including a fact sheet on taking water samples, visit the Working Well website.

The post Is your well water safe to drink? appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.