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IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
The most water efficient form of irrigation is drip irrigation, whether you’re watering domestic or commercial properties. The key to creating maximum irrigation efficiency is uniformity, delivering water supply where and when it is required.
Deciding which irrigation systems suits your application requires a knowledge of equipment, system design, plant species, growth stage, root structure, soil composition, and land formation. Irrigation systems should encourage plant growth while minimizing water loss.
Water Harvesting Systems can provide irrigation system solutions for upgrading your existing system, or design and installation of a tailored system meeting your property/project needs.
EQUIPMENT
Integrated drip line (piping or tubing)
Integrated drip line irrigation is usually made from PVC and varies in diameter, depending on the amount of water pressure required. It can be laid either above or below the soil surface or in a layer of mulch. While more water pressure is required for longer piping and extra emitters, extra pressure will not water your plants more effectively.
Drip emitters
Drip emitters attach to standard PVC irrigation piping and apply a consistent amount of water to your garden plants. As a general rule, cheaper and less sophisticated emitters (which are not recommended) have highly variable flow rates that depend on water supply pressure while commercial quality emitters have pressure-compensating systems to ensure a constant flow rate.
Weeping hoses
Weeping hoses are usually made of black recycled type rubber. They can be attached to a fixed watering system or an ordinary garden hose. As with integrated drip lines, weeping hoses can be laid either above or below the soil surface or in a layer of mulch. While more water pressure is required for longer hoses, weeping hoses work most effectively at low pressures.
Controllers
Controllers are used to manage the flow of water through your drip irrigation system. Simple controllers, such as a mechanical tap timer, only require you to set the amount of watering time. More complex electronic controllers can water different garden zones at different times and even different days. Consult your local irrigation supplier for more information.
Backflow prevention device
Backflow occurs when there is a reverse pressure in the water supply system, drawing contaminants like fertilizers and other garden chemicals back into the drinking water supply through installed irrigation system. Installing a backflow prevention device can prevent serious injuries caused by contaminated water.
Rain switches
A rain switch will turn off your drip irrigation system during wet weather, preventing over watering and saving you money. A rain switch can be connected to most electronic automatic controllers.
Soil moisture sensors
Soil moisture sensors are placed beneath the soil surface at a specified depth around your garden to measure the amount of moisture in the soil. When the moisture level drops below a predetermined level it allows the irrigation controller to operate, watering your garden. A soil moisture sensor can be fitted to most electronic automatic controllers. Make sure drip emitters are installed above ground so that they do not become clogged by dirt.
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More than 80% of the average annual volume of water in the Murray is diverted for industry and domestic use - Irrigation accounts for 95% of this. |
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