WorldWide Drilling Resource

Livestock Wells for Navajo Ranchers Adapted from Information Provided by the USDA Thanks to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), two chapters of the Navajo Nation in Utah have received new live- stock wells. Members of the Teec Nos Pos and Red Mesa chapters use wells drilled deep into the desert floor to water their livestock including about 1000 cows. During testing in the 2000s, the Navajo Nation Water Code Administration found high levels of arsenic, uranium, and E. coli in these wells, which made them non-potable for humans and live- stock. Upon this discovery, ranchers began trucking water from up to two hours away for their cows because they could not afford to drill new wells. Due to harsh desert conditions, some of the cattle died, even though ranchers did the best they could to ensure their survival. 67 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® MAY 2014 Off the Grid by Nick Olberg submitted by Tracy Keck Hose Solutions, Inc. It is estimated 60-65% of the pop- ulation of Africa lives “off the grid”. Although this number is high, significant portions of most of the world’s coun- tries still live “off the grid”. Water and electricity are found, funded, and sourced by the individual or isolated community. In many of these communities, a well would be the preferred choice for readily available potable water and solar the ideal source for electricity. Over the last couple of years, many innovations have made solar collection cheaper, eas- ier, and more durable, but water still remains a problem. Rigid pipe systems used for pump- ing water out of most wells are difficult, time consuming, and expensive to install; and when installed, often become main- tenance nightmares. Just getting steel pipe and the necessary equipment to handle it can sometimes prove impos- sible. Flexible drop pipe overcomes these stumbling blocks and makes clean and potable well water more accessible. It is similar in construction to a fire hose, but this one is on steroids! It is tough and durable while also being lightweight. When rolled up, flexible drop pipe is very compact, and easy to store and transport. Getting this pipe into the ground is also made much easier by its weight and flexibility. Installation can often be done by hand, or any kind of vehicle and a simple, rolling wheel. When the pump needs maintenance, it can be pulled just as easily as when it went in. Since it does not scale or corrode, it is a zero-maintenance prod- uct. These factors make wells more viable in the long term and decrease the downtime of a well dramatically. Flexible drop pipe is ideal for iso- lated homes or communities, where a well is relied on for drinking water and the irrigation of food crops alike. Tracy Tracy Keck may be contacted via e-mail at admin@ worldwidedrillingresource.com " # # # " "# # ! #! % # !! " ! " "# ! & ! % ! # ' ! & !! #' " $!"# " # " ##" " " " " $# " !!! In Memoriam Joyce M. Sticha (1948~2014) Losing a friend is sad indeed, but losing a mother is the deepest kind of hurt. We were very saddened to receive word from the Minnesota Water Well Association that Joyce M. Sticha passed away March 27, 2014. Born in New Prague, Minnesota, in 1948, Joyce was raised in Jordan and graduated from Jordan High School. She was owner and opera- tor of NDS Dr i l l ing Supply of Elko, having opened it as a water well supply house in 1983. She enjoyed her job; loved play- ing cards, games, and traveling with her grandchildren and family. Joyce is survived by sons Greg (Elda) and Todd (Terri), five grand- children, and extended family. The management and staff of WorldWide Drilling Resource ® offer their sincere condolences to Joyce’s family, friends, and colleagues. Through the USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity pro- gram, the NRCS partnered with the two Navajo chapters and the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture to drill two new wells and safely decom- mission the contaminated wells. The NRCS contributed 90% of the total project cost. With these new wells in place, the NRCS is helping the Teec Nos Pos and Red Mesa chapters install pipeline and troughs to provide multiple points of access from which cows can drink. In light of the project’s success, Fred White, executive director of the Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources, is exploring opportunities to enhance and protect the natural resources of tribal lands with the NRCS and other USDA agencies.