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<p>The pipes go in. The sand comes out. It’s like striking oil, but with water. </p><p>"We’ve been through a drought, so I figured I’m on borrowed time, so I decided to drill a new well," Markarian said. </p><p>Farming nearly 1200 acres of fruits and almonds, Greg Markarian decided to be proactive when planning for water, drilling a new well before his old one went dry.</p><p>"I saw the dry season we went through, and I figured now is the time to do it," Markarian said. </p><p>Markarian had to wait almost a year to have his new well drilled, an example of planning that many valley farmers wish they’d followed.<br /> <br />"With no ditch water, the only other option they have is to quit farming or drills wells," Steve Arthur said. </p><p>Steve Arthur with Arthur and Orum Well Drilling says their drilling has tripled since the bitter realities of the drought have hit home.</p><p>"People are realizing that we’ve got a problem and we need water," Arthur said. </p><p>He says the drought is also forcing them to drill deeper. </p><p>"They weren’t drilled very deep to start with, so now that we’re using a little more water than normal. The wells have to be deeper to supply everybody," Arthur said. </p><p>Part-owner Kim Hammond says she receives several calls a day from people needing a new well, and says people are becoming more and more desperate. </p><p>"We have farmers who literally call, almost to the point of begging. It’s just very heart wrenching," Hammond said. </p><p>Markarian has suffered through previous droughts, but says the ultimate answer has to come in the form of rainfall. </p><p>"The last drought lasted 6 years. This one is in the 4th year, I hope that’s it," Markarian said. </p><p>Arthur says a small water well can set someone back about $30,000, but for the larger wells, it could cost farmers anywhere from 400-500 thousand dollars. </p></div>
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