How can I adjust pH for plants w/ generator powered well

Hi fellow Permies!
    I have been growing a wide spectrum of trees on 2 acres in rural South Dakota USA. The property used to have a trailer house on it in the 70s and has a well, but now holds only my little shack and apples, pears, raspberries, plums, blackberries, and most importantly-hazelnuts. I had the well shocked and sealed 3 years ago because of a bacterial issue, afterwards it was no longer present. The other test results didn’t really stay with me-I was new and if the water was safe for my dog to drink that should be good enough. Funny thing is, the trees survived but failed to thrive. I tested again this year and the hardness and alkalinity are both 9.5. and high Calcium. I should have opened my eyes when the hydrangea I bought started to tank the first week.
    Here’s the dilemma. I don’t live here full time, I just visit several times a week. The pump runs off a Honda generator I fire up when it’s time to water. Hauling water in from town isn’t an option. What methods can I use to change my water without a constant flow of electricity? Thanks for your time and advice!

Leah said, What methods can I use to change my water without a constant flow of electricity? Thanks for your time and advice!

Maybe adding a pressure tank would allow you to change the ph of your water?

Ooh, that is hard water!
The simplest maybe to boil it, some of the salts will precipitate out (hence kettles and boilers scaling up) , but that is very energy intensive....Could you set up a solar powered still perhaps? Maybe that could be running in your absence into a tank so you had a supply when you get there.

Hello!

That's a tough one. I would probably get 2 IBC totes. Pump into one set higher than the other and gravity feed into the other through some sort of filter to reduce alkalinity. Maybe sand/biochar? That would take some research. If PH is still way too high then it could be easily managed in the second tote.

At the same time continue to build the soil with as much biomass and bio diversity as possible and it will become much more buffering to PH swings.

You might try the sand filter with some limestone gravel mixed in.  Here in N GA all gravel is normally granite, but in areas with karst topography ....think caves systems and sinkholes... I am pretty sure a truckload of gravel will be limestone. Best of luck in your quest
Oh, a friend just told me try using gypsum in the same way.  But I don't believe using old sheetrock would be so great

I have never been to South Dakota though if the hardness and alkalinity are both 9.5. and high Calcium that indicates that your water quality is poor.

I have that issue where I live.  Every time I water plants I just add more alkaline to the soil.

I do like the suggestion of using IBC tanks and a sand filter.

Vinegar was my solution.  What do you plan to add?

As mentioned above a gypsum filter might work.

I did some research into the topic, its amazing.
This video  explains an amazing view.

Obviously you should save rainwater, mulching your trees will buffer the pH, Vinegar will amend the water pH but you should try to make an acid mulch heavy enough to reduce the need for watering. Can you get pine mulch? my city water is about 8.5 so when I have to water most plants decline.

That's very base and most of what you mentioned likes slightly acidic I believe. Have you considered citric acid? At least it's natural. If you have time you might want to try a simple sand and charcoal filter. I'm thinking the charcoal might help filter out some of that base.

We deal with acidic soil here so that's my best guesses.

Might also try aeration.

Leah Holder wrote:Hi fellow Permies!
    I have been growing a wide spectrum of trees on 2 acres in rural South Dakota USA. The property used to have a trailer house on it in the 70s and has a well, but now holds only my little shack and apples, pears, raspberries, plums, blackberries, and most importantly-hazelnuts. I had the well shocked and sealed 3 years ago because of a bacterial issue, afterwards it was no longer present. The other test results didn’t really stay with me-I was new and if the water was safe for my dog to drink that should be good enough. Funny thing is, the trees survived but failed to thrive. I tested again this year and the hardness and alkalinity are both 9.5. and high Calcium. I should have opened my eyes when the hydrangea I bought started to tank the first week.
    Here’s the dilemma. I don’t live here full time, I just visit several times a week. The pump runs off a Honda generator I fire up when it’s time to water. Hauling water in from town isn’t an option. What methods can I use to change my water without a constant flow of electricity? Thanks for your time and advice!

The water delivery method doesn't much matter. If I were you I would first see what PH each type plant / tree needs. Then I would test the soil at the roots and see what the ph you are actually working with is. Then work something like this in the soil until you achieve the target ph range.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VD9WT1P?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

You can also adjust the PH of the water but that will require a mixer or mixing tank of some type. Something like a miracle gro lawn feeder might be made to work.