50 Ways - 29. Prevent Backsiphoning

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50 Ways Farmers Can Protect Their Groundwater

Nitrogen

1. Set realistic yield goals
2. Test the soil
3. Credit other nitrogen sources
4. Apply nitrogen in the spring
5. Use nitrification inhibitors when effective

Scouting

6. Scout fields

Insecticides

7. Know the economic thresholds for insects
8. Consider insect-resistant crop varieties
9. Spot-treat insect infestations when possible
10. Know how tillage affects insects
11. Know how crop rotation affects insects
12. Adjust planting & harvesting dates to control insects
13. Conserve beneficial insects
14. Consider using biological insecticides

Herbicides

15. Know the economic thresholds for weeds
16. Fine-tune your weed program to reduce rates
17. Manage crops to compete aggressively with weeds
18. Don't increase herbicide rates with conservation tillage
19. Band herbicides and cultivate
20. Control weeds with cover crops

Pesticide Selection

21. Determine the organic-matter of your soil
22. Determine your soil's potential for leaching
23. Determine your pesticide's potential for leaching
24. Determine the soil-pesticide interaction rating
25. Consider other critical pesticide qualities

Pesticide application

26. Select the proper nozzle tips
27. Calibrate your sprayer
28. Consider direct injection
29. SPrevent backsiphoning

Pesticide disposal and storage

30. Rinse chemical containers thoroughly
31. Dispose of rinsed containers safely
32. Dispose of excess chemicals safely
33. Store agrichemicals safely
34. Prevent and clean up chemical spills
35. Construct a rinse pad

Site conditions, wells, and septic systems

36. Know your well site conditions
37. Locate your well away from contamination sources
38. Make sure your well is constructed properly
39. Seal abandoned wells
40. Make sure your septic system operates correctly

Water testing & treatment

41. Test your water routinely
42. Test your water for coliform bacteria & nitrate
43. Test you water for pesticides
44. Know the signs of contaminants in drinking water
45. Select effective water-treatment methods

46. Store livestock waste properly
47. Have old, underground fuel storage tanks removed
48. Dispose of other hazardous waste safely
49. Take precautions when irrigating
50. Take precautions when chemigating

29. Prevent Backsiphoning
	Backsiphoning is the equivalent of pouring pesticide solution directly into your water supply. It is a major problem. Fortunately, it is easy to prevent. Backsiphoning can occur when you mistakenly leave the end of the fill hose below the level of the pesticide solution in the spray tank. If the water flow is inadvertently shut off, the pesticide solution could back up through the fill hose and get into the water supply.
	To prevent backsiphoning, fill the spray tank with water first. If you must add the pesticide first, make sure the water hose is secured above the tank and out of the pesticide solution. Maintain a 6-inch air gap between the hose and the tank opening. If necessary, mount a clamp on top of the tank to hold the hose.
	Also, fill the tank from a hydrant that is at least 100 feet away from the wellhead. If the hydrant is closer, use a hose that is long enough to stretch at least 100 feet from the well.
	Always use anti-backflow devices, such as check valves, on pumping equipment. You can buy inexpensive anti-backflow devices from suppliers of irrigation or sprayer equipment.