Water Management

Besides (or because of) the heat, water was limited. The Quinta (farm) is off-grid with no connection to a sewer or running water. Victoria has a large water reservoir that fills up in the winter and spring. But from May until September (sometimes until November) there is no rain. So she relies on the reservoir for the farm. When we arrived the river was gone, except for a small puddle. There goes our hope of jumping in the river to cool off!

The cover on the reservoir had ripped and water was evaporating fast. We had to conserve as much as possible. It made it easier that Victoria had a (dry) composting toilet and there were no appliances (no dishwasher or washing machine). Gray water from hand washing dishes and clothes with biodegradable soap was given to the trees and flowers.

Engineers to the rescue! We installed a new cover on the reservoir. And we pumped water from a well across the road to refill it. Exciting day at the Quinta!Read more