[Arid_gardener] Re: Irrigation Well Water in Zip Code 86024

[Olin Miller]

----- Original Message ----- From: <k.paldan at att.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 1:35 PM
> Karen 85259 k.paldan at att.net
> We have some property on the Mogollon Rim (zip code 86024) with community 
> wells.  The water is very alkaline.  I need to know if this water can 
> safely be used to water the plants.  [...]  The vegatation is native - 
> ponderosa and pinion pines, junipers, various shrubs and annuals.
================================================

The well water in the Happy Jack, Clint's Well, Long Valley, Blue Ridge, et. 
al., region comes from the Little Colorado river watershed which originates 
from springs in the White Mountains/Mount Baldy Wilderness.  It has a lot 
less exposure to warm weather and evaporation than our Phoenix Colorado 
River runoff and, consequently, would be expected to be less salty and less 
alkaline.

Do you have any information as to the pH of the well water?  Quite a few 
people in the Clear Creek Pines developments have acid loving trees like 
Maple which appear to be doing okay with irrigation, not only from the 
community well but also from their own wells.  If you see a home with 
non-indigenous trees or shrubbery, stop in and ask about it.

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
============================================