Chrissy Lucas

Small Farms , Ground Water Quality Outreach Program Coordinator

541-713-5009
[email protected]

Expertise: Residential water/wells

Programs: OSU Small Farms , Southern Willamette Valley Small Farms

Locations: Benton County , Lane County , Linn County , Marion County , Polk County

Links: http://wellwater.oregonstate.edu

Content by Chrissy Lucas

How far should my chicken coop be from my well?

Q: We have a chicken coop that is 25 feet from the well that supplies water to our house and irrigation. The well itself is 60 feet deep, and the pump was replaced about three months ago and completely flushed out. Should we be concerned about contamination of the groundwater from the coop?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Safe laundry detergent for septic tanks?

Q: I'm confused by the claims made by detergent companies when it comes to septic tank safety. I've contacted some companies and have been told that eco-friendly, biodegradable detergents 'should' be safe. Is there an official certification process for products used with septic tanks?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

When should I pump my septic tank?

Q: There are various recommendations on when to pump a septic tank. What is your recommendation for pumping a 1000 gal polyethylene tank for a household of two adults? The chart in OSU Extension's publication states 5.9 years. ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Be Well Project: Lead in Your Drinking Water

Lead is a tasteless toxic metal that can contaminate well water. It can cause many serious health conditions. Learn how to test your water for lead and study options for water treatment.

Veronica Irvin, Molly Kile, Chrissy Lucas, Laura Neilson, Lilly Anderson | Jun 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Be Well Project: Nitrate in Your Drinking Water

Nitrate can contaminate well water, leading to serious health conditions. Learn how to prevent nitrate from getting in your well and how to remove nitrate from your drinking water.

Veronica Irvin, Molly Kile, Chrissy Lucas, Laura Neilson, Lilly Anderson | Jun 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Be Well Project: Arsenic in Your Drinking Water

Arsenic is a colorless, odorless toxic metal that can enter drinking water. Arsenic damage builds up over time and is linked to many health problems. Learn how to test and treat contaminated water.

Veronica Irvin, Molly Kile, Chrissy Lucas, Laura Neilson, Lilly Anderson | Jun 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Can one cow contaminate my well water?

Q: We have 1 mini Hereford on an acre that is downhill from our well. During the rainy months, I am worried that the rain will dissolve the cow manure and affect our water. Is that accurate? Or is that only a concern ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

How to test and treat my residential well water?

Q: I am fairly new to using my well, and I had a few questions: My well has a holding tank and the water tested positive for E. coli bacteria. I had a UV light installed and was wondering what else I should do to ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Keeping Your Well Water Well / Agua limpia en su pozo

Tips for making sure a well is properly constructed and maintained, and that the water is safe to drink. Consejos prácticos para asegurarse de que un pozo ha sido construido y mantenido correctamente, y que el agua del pozo se puede beber.

Chrissy Lucas, Maggie Livesay | Apr 2021 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Can I leave my garden hoses outside this winter?

Q: If I unhook my garden hoses from the faucet, can I leave them outside? I always turn off the outside water for the winter. But will it damage a hose to leave it outside ?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Twelve Simple Things You Can Do to Protect Your Well Water / Doce pasos sencillos para proteger su agua de pozo

Practical tips on protecting well water. Consejos prácticos para proteger el agua del pozo.

Chrissy Lucas, Maggie Livesay | Apr 2017 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

What are the costs for urban goats?

Q: I live in Eugene and I am interested in purchasing two mini-Nubian goats. Do you have any information available on the expected expenses of keeping this breed (in town) per year? I'm wondering about both initial expenses and continuing expenses.

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Groundwater specialist leads effort to repair fire-damaged septic systems and wells in Lincoln County

Chrissy Lucas-Woodruff is distributing flyers in English and Spanish and visiting fire survivors where they’ve landed after the fire stole their homes.

Kym Pokorny | Sep 8, 2021 | News story

OSU Extension helps rebuild wells and septic systems in Otis community

As a result of this work, 110 applications to the program came in from August through December 2021. Sixty projects were completed with payments totaling $300,000 for replacements, repairs and reimbursements for septic and well systems.

Chrissy Lucas | Mar 2022 | Impact story

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