Used to ride MTBs on goat-head infested roads, paths, and mountain trails. During certain times of the year you could ride for "weeks on end" without any GH induced flats. Other times you'd swear that the roads and trails were paved with the darn things.

This quickly taught me to carry several CO2 carts and a spare tube in a small "everyday" tool kit and a pump in a "long distance" luggage rack mounted bag along with another spare tube, etc. Never had a case where I couldn't ride home due to flat tires.

As for the water issue, too much is almost not enough if you ask me.