Saving Ground Water One Pump at a Time

After enrolling Kai-Kai Farm in the BMP (Best Management Practices) Program through (FDACS) the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, we became eligible for cost share programs that cover up to 75% of total costs of projects that increase soil fertility, protect natural resources such as our water supply, and sequesters carbon.

Currently, our farm pumps water from 3 submersible wells to our drip irrigation system. Employee, Merina Ingram discussed possible projects with Owner’ Carl Frost, that would improve water use efficiency and qualify for cost share. The focus on the farm is to continuously improve our operations that conserve natural resources and provide just and equitable food. Just north of the farm is the C44 canal, enriched with nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. We proposed a project to FDACS, EQIP, and CSP cost share programs. This project involves installing an electric water pump that pulls water from the C44 canal rather than ground water in the surficial aquifer. This project will benefit the environment by mitigating the use of ground water and recycling C-44 runoff nutrients.

Merina contacted and connected with several companies in search for the right pumping system, that efficiently filters and pumps water at a uniform rate to improve water use efficiency.

Currently, we have a building to protect the pumpstation, a wet well, 5” main line, a culvert that runs from our property to the water supply ditch, single phase power, and surface water rights from South Florida Water Management District granted to Box Ranch.

We are awaiting project approval by all 3 programs before we ultimately decide which program is best suited for this project. Factors to consider are the success, feasibility, and sustainability of the project.