12
Module 2 — Planning Your Water System
Other Planning Considerations
No matter the water source, do the following to protect your water supply:
Test the water quality regularly
Treat the water if necessary
Monitor the supply and water level
Maintain the well and water system
Protect the water source from contamination.
Test Water Quality
All farm water sources should be tested when the supply is first connected and
continually tested on a regular basis. Test the water more often if you notice a significant
change in the water quality, if a toxic spill occurs nearby, or if a change occurs in land use or
activity. A thorough chemical and bacteriological analysis of water for household use can be
done through your local health unit. Water samples for agricultural purposes can be taken
to private labs for testing. These labs will supply sample bottles and correct procedures for
sampling. For more information on testing water quality, see Module 5 ”Monitoring and
Maintenance of Your Well”.
Treat Water
Water quality tests will point out any problems that need to be corrected. Wells may
become contaminated with harmful bacteria, parasites or viruses. Nuisance bacteria,
although not harmful, are a common well water problem in Alberta. The water may have a
poor taste, odour or colour, or be high in total dissolved solids (TDS). Treatments for these
and other problems may include disinfection, special filters, water softeners or distillation.
Monitor the Supply
Monitoring your water sources is an important step to ensuring a lasting water
supply. It can be compared to checking the oil in a vehicle or doing soil tests. You will have
advance notice of changes to the water supply and a chance to make changes before the
problem is serious.
Maintain the Well and Water System
Regular maintenance such as shock chlorination is necessary. Well design should allow
for this required maintenance.
Protect from Contamination
Both dugouts and wells are susceptible to contamination from various sources. Practices
to prevent contamination include proper location, proper design, plugging abandoned wells,
fencing, runoff controls and grass cover around dugouts.
For more details on specific water treatments
see Module 7 "Troubleshooting Water Well
Problems" and Module 12 "Other Resources".
See Module 5 "Monitoring Your Water Well"
for more information on how to check, record
and interpret water level measurements.
For more information on preventing
contamination of wells see Module 9
"
Plugging Abandoned Wells". Further
information on preventing dugout
contamination can be found in Module 12
"
Other Resources".
Be sure to keep all records of water quality
tests for future reference and monitoring.