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  • From: "Sage Austin | Eureka! Design" <eureka AT hctc.net>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Farm Update
  • Date: Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:39:57 -0500

Thanks, Bev. What kind of bacteria? Will distillation take out the bacteria?

They call this water "gyp water" locally, and on diagrams of the aquifer it is labeled "saline water." Someone else told me it was a gas that would eventually play out. Another person said I could add garden lime to take the sulfur out and make it drinkable. Since it hasn't been tested (our neighbors are using it for their ponds and lawn) we will likely add chlorine. All I can say is when I boil it on the stove for dishes it leaves a whole lot of sediment behind. We don't have the spare cash for buying any kind of tank right now, things are tight. Since our well has never been known to go dry since it was dug in the 1860's we are hoping the wet fall forecast will happen and recharge the well, giving us time to buy or build a tank for our needs, both for storing our own water once it comes back, and to harvest rainwater. Right now the shower is nice and warm in the afternoons from the hoses laying in the sun, but my husband has to brave it in the mornings.

It's all annoyingly bearable in light of the rest of the world's problems. My yoga instructor lost her leg to cancer this summer. I am now immensely thankful I have two legs with which to carry the water. When you all turn on your faucet and water comes out, be thankful!!!

--Sage

EarthNSky wrote:
Sage Austin | Eureka! Design wrote:

For the past two months our pioneer hand dug well has been dry. Our river shriveled to 2 feet wide and 4 inches deep. A neighbor drilled a deep, $15K sulfurous well and has passed a hose through the fence. Our 10 year old apple trees died. My husband built an outdoor shower and we are beginning to smell like rotten eggs. I carry 5 gal buckets to the animals and house to flush, wash dishes, and clothes by hand. We buy drinking water at the store. This is exhausting, expensive and not in our budget. We have assembled the supplies to build a solar water distiller. Water has almost become a full time job. Recently we've had 10 inches of rain, but the well is still dry because it has not fallen in our recharge zone.

Sage, the sulfurous smell is from sulfur producing bacteria in the well. It could be in the lines, but since it is a new well, it is probably in the well. They can treat the well with bleach and that will help. Additionally, you could build a platform and put a 300 gallon tank on it. You could use their water to fill the tank a little at a time, then treat the tank yourself. The tank could gravity feed for your shower.
Just an idea.

B






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