What Are You Drinking?

By Darrell Corkal
PFRA, Saskatoon, SK

Do you or your farm animals drink water from a dugout?

• Have you ever wondered whether your water treatment system is working?
• Do you dislike the taste of your treated water?
• Do your farm animals dislike the taste of or ever seem sick from drinking dugout water?
• Have you ever seen algae blooms on your dugout?
• Do you take water for granted?
• Are you unsure who to contact about surface water quality problems?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are not alone. Many rural people are wondering just how to provide the best quality surface water to their families and to their farm animals. Many do not know who to consult with, and often obtain little help from other sources.

PFRA and the Saskatchewan Research Council has entered into a four year project to try to deal with surface water quality issues. Existing land use and dugout treatment practices, and their effects on water quality will be investigated. Innovative technologies will be researched for water treatment. Modifications and new dugout designs will be explored.

PFRA, working with SRC, will act as facilitators together with provincial government partners in an effort to train knowledgeable technicians to respond to inquiries from rural clients. Our goal is to improve education and awareness about what can be economically done by you, the farmers, to provide the best-tasting and safest surface water for your families and your farm animals. Watch for more news about the PFRA/SRC Surface Water Quality Initiative, coming soon to your R.M.!