This solution for local farmers and ranchers, however, has come
with its own set of challenges as residents seek ways to deal with
the drought and other problems contributing to a statewide water
crisis.
HOLLISTER
Some local farmers dealing with cutbacks in supplemental water are turning to old wells that need extensive repairs – or drilling new ones altogether.
Dick Swank of Hollister’s Swank Farms off San Felipe Road said he recently brought two wells back into production.
“They had been shut off for 12 years, but we needed the water so we went ahead and got them started,” he said this week.
This solution for local farmers and ranchers, however, has come with its own set of challenges as residents seek ways to deal with the drought and other problems contributing to a statewide water crisis.
Local drilling companies have seen an increase in requests, sometimes causing delays. Farmers have been dealing with expensive drilling projects, as well as irrigation once the wells are activated. Pacific Gas & Electric, meanwhile, has six-month waiting lists to bring electricity to pumps.
Supervisor Anthony Botelho this week, while underscoring the importance of water here, noted that San Benito County is one of few counties in the last decade to expand its agriculture industry.
“Everyone is sitting around waiting for water,” he said, “and if it gets worse before it gets better, this situation will result in tremendous job losses both in San Benito and the rest of the state.”
For farmers, the first hurdle is finding a drilling company to extract what often amounts to low-quality water. Kay Filice knows this scenario intimately.
For an expanded version of this story, see Friday’s Free Lance.
