For over five decades the University of California's Hopland Research & Extension Center has used a sub-surface spring water source for the Center's domestic water needs. The water source, called Holiday Spring (named after a pioneer homestead family), has been very consistent throughout this time period fluctuating from 6 (drought summers) to 14 gallons per minute, but supply quantities are limited.
With anticipated expansion of water needs at the Center a supplemental water source was developed in 2009 by drilling a 275-foot deep well atop a windy ridge. A 100 -120 gallon-per-minute supply of water was found at a 220-foot depth. With late afternoon/evening summer breezes typical from the west, this provided a superb opportunity to provide "green" (environmentally-friendly) water by means of a windmill pump.
A ten-foot diameter windmill was erected that will pump 180 gallons per hour with a minimum 12-15 mph wind. This is a great energy-efficient method of providing supplemental water to the Center's domestic water tank/system.
