Goats provide natural vegetation control at Santa Teresa Water Treatment Plant

Because of uneven terrain, it is difficult to use common vegetation-control practices, such as mowing, on this parcel. “Goats R Us”, a highly reputable grazing company, has been hired to use its herd of goats to eliminate dry grasses, weeds and woody growth – all potential fire hazards.

Using goats to clear grasses by grazing is an alternative to herbicide application and mowing. The contractor will install a portable fence, moving it from one location to another, until each of the sections of land is successfully cleared.

Goats are very quiet while they are at work. Neighbors may notice asmall amount of noise and dust as the goats are moved from onesection of property toanother. A goat herder and a trained Australian border collie will oversee the herd at all times.

In early May, the goat herd will be moved to the Santa Teresa WaterTreatment Plant silt basins on McKean Road.The goats will perform thesamevegetation removal at this site.

The silt basins on McKean Road perform an important function for the operations of the main treatment plant on Greystone Avenue. As silt is removed from incoming water after arriving at the plant, it is collected and pumped through apipeline to the McKean Rd. site. The silty water is dried in the various ponds until the resulting dry mud can be removed from the drying beds.

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