Storage
Depending on your well production, you may
want to invest in a large storage tank. Our well produces only 12
gallons per minute which is fine for household use and some irrigation
during non-drought years. When we moved here though, we were in year 4
of a 5 year drought and the well barely supplied enough water for
household use.
A large storage tank is on our "wish" list as
it will allow more irrigation, better fire protection, and more security
in drought years.
Our neighbor, however, is on an aquifer that
produces 75 gallons per minute. They have plenty of water as needed in
good rain years or not.
Droughts -- they come when they want (not necessarily when
you're prepared) and if we're lucky they'll only last a year or two.
However, there have been many that have lasted several years in this
area, and so a good water supply is necessary and more storage can
become more vital during those times.
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Pollution -- Make
sure your septic system meets current county guidelines. Older systems
could have been put in before the county standards were so stringent and
may lead to unhealthy drinking water.
The basic issue... your well
should be uphill from your septic system. In any event, it's good to
have your well water tested every few years to make sure you don't have
some contaminate running into it that you're unaware of. And, if you're
buying a new property, put in a contingency clause regarding the
potability of the well water.
The University of California's IPM Online site offers extensive information on specific pests and pest management.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Healthy Lawn, Healthy Environment" booklet and other information can be found at
www.epa.gov/pesticides.
Chemical
pollution from pesticides & herbicides.
BUY
INSECTS that kill garden pests
and you won't have to expose
yourself, your kids or your pets to deadly chemicals!
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Floods &
Prevention
Sometimes we get too much water and if you're
living on or near a stream, flash floods can be a problem. Here's what
we've found works as well as anything.
Walk the entire creek bed
and remove obstructions. Back when cattle roamed the entire area, many
ranchers cut the big oak trees so they wouldn't take the water from the
streams and ponds. Now, these old trunks break loose in heavy rains and
wash down stream to lodge in places that can cause a dam and flooding.
We've learned to walk the creek bed every year and remove things that
could cause floods the following wet season. Even so, nature has a way
of fooling us anyway so almost every winter at least one trunk must be
removed in the middle of the rainy season.
Ditches have also been cut
strategically to direct run off away from areas that can cause major
damage.
Just remember, the problem's yours -- you must
either do the work or hire it done out of your own pocket. There's not a
county service or government agency to step in and handle the problem.
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Other
subjects to be addressed soon...
Watershed Issues
You
cannot dam a creek - you cannot alter a watershed
Ag Neighbors
Ponds & Streams
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