Q: Last spring our dugout was the lowest it has ever been. It filled with snowmelt but has a yellow colour to it. Also, when the water is left in the hot water tank for a day or two, it gets an odour. What can we do?
A: Considering the amount of snow you had over the winter and the extreme amount of rain you had in the spring, your problem with colour is most likely caused by runoff. Areas that have extensive snowfall will obviously have more spring runoff. When runoff occurs, water picks up organics such as decayed vegetation, which will then produce a colour in the dugout. I recommend a membrane separation system for the removal of colour.
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As for the smell, I recommend that you remove the anode rod from your hot water heater. This may be causing the problem. If the rod is already removed, then you may be experiencing a problem with hydrogen sulfide gas. Chlorination or aeration will remove the odour completely.
Shock chlorination treatment
Q: I would like to shock chlorinate the water well on my farm. The well is 36 metres deep with 41/2 m of water. The cribbing is wood, a metre in diameter. The top is a culvert for the last six m. During the summer, with low water use, it tends to become stagnant. I have never shocked a well before and would like advice on what to do and how much chlorine to use.
A: The most effective and easiest way to shock chlorinate your well is to use dry chlorine pellets. I suggest throwing in about half a handful of 70 percent dry chlorine pellets. Let it dissolve in the well for about two hours.
Next, turn on the taps in the house and let them run until you can smell chlorine. Turn off the taps and let the chlorine do its job killing bacteria and disinfecting the entire water system for 12-24 hours.
Then run the taps the next day until you can no longer smell any chlorine.
This is only a temporary solution. Once the chlorine is removed entirely from your water supply, it is possible for bacteria to recontaminate. If it keeps coming back, a water analysis should be done to indicate whether a filter or membrane system is needed.
If you have a specific water problem and would like advice, write to the Water Clinic, attention Philip Stadnyk, 850-47th St. E. Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 0X4, e-mail philip@thewaterclinic.com. Stadnyk is president of the Water Clinic and a member of the Canadian Water Quality Association. His views do not necessarily reflect those of The Western Producer.
