by Jeanne Robinson

The first time I noticed this phenomenon was at the Tualatin Plains Presbyterian Cemetery at the Old Scotch Church in Washington County. The lovely old cemetery is notable as the burial place of Col. Joseph Meek, his wife and children, as well as many other local pioneer families. It is also noteworthy for the many orange gravestones found dotting its lush green grounds. Both colors come from the same source; the sprinkler system water that comes from a well. While the healthy grass was the desired result, minerals in the water have reacted with the stones to form a rusty-orange stain on many of them.

Similarly, the gravestones at St. Andrews and Canyon City Cemeteries in Grant County are stained black. While somewhat unsightly, these stains actually make the stones very easy to read. A prominent sign at each of these cemeteries warns visitors that the water from their well is not potable. Considering the obvious discoloration it has caused to the gravestones, I doubt anyone would need a sign to tell them not to drink the water.

While visiting at Canyon City I was asked by Elaine Hustad about removing the stains. From my own knowledge of such things I advised against it, but I told her I would check with an expert to make sure. I had already arranged to have Lynette Strangstad, author of the Graveyard Preservation Primer, stay at my home during the AGS Conference in August 1999, and we were planning to tour several Oregon cemeteries the following week. I made certain that the cemeteries with water-staining problems were on our itinerary and used her visit as an opportunity to learn first hand how to tackle the problem.

As I had surmised, removing these water stains is NOT recommended. There are two reasons for this. First, the stains are caused by a chemical reaction of the water with the stones and are not just a surface condition. Therefore, cleaning might not remove the stains at all. Second, as long as the water continues to be applied, the stains will just come back anyway.

We do have some recommendations to offer. If you have this type of staining on stones in your cemetery, put up a sign explaining what the stains are and telling visitors NOT to clean them! This will help protect the stones. Also, consider alternatives to watering. There are many cemeteries in Oregon that are never watered and yet are well maintained and lovely. Other cemeteries utilize mulches, shade trees, and other water-conservation methods. If you must water, consider a filtration system (not chemical additives) for your well water. Another option is to consider an underground irrigation system rather than above ground sprinkling.

Finally, if you do have a sprinkler system in your cemetery, check to be certain the pressurized water is not causing damage to nearby fragile old grave markers.

Our ancestors never could have imagined that their gravestones would be assaulted by high-power sprinklers, stained by contaminated well water, and bumped and scarred by riding lawnmowers -- all for the sake of standing on an emerald green lawn.