Water Conservation

This summer has been a dry one for many folks in Pennsylvania and around the northeast.  This has lead to major losses in crop production because many farmers in this part of the state do not irrigate their crops.  In other parts of the country irrigation is the norm, but in Pennsylvania there is usually enough rainfall to not warrant irrigation.  This year was an exception. 

Although drought has the most noticeable impact on crop production other areas of the farm can be impacted as well.  Farm animals need a lot of water and if the water supply to the farm is not adequate to sustain them through dry times animal production can also suffer.  A person uses about 62 gallons of water per day, much of which is water that we are using for washing and other activities, and not directly consuming.  However, a dairy cow needs about 30-35 gallons of water a day just to drink, beef cows and horses need about 15 gallons per day, and 100 chickens need about 10 gallons of water per day.  Many farms are supplied by wells or springs and both can give out during extended dry seasons.  Springs are more likely to give out than wells, assuming the well is dug deep enough, so they should be monitored more closely.  Monitoring the well, regardless of how deep it was dug, is always a good idea because if it is getting close to giving out you will have time to plan for an alternative water source.  Well monitors cost between $250 and $1000, but if that is the main water source for a farm it is well worth the investment.

There are a number of simple things that can be done to conserve water in the home and on a farm and many good suggestions can be found at the Penn State Extension Water Resources web page.