Crucial Components of a Drip Irrigation System

The United Nations has already declared water a scarce resource, which should worry farmers. Since plants need adequate water to grow healthy, farmers — both small scale and commercial — are increasingly using irrigation systems. The applications ensure that plants receive a steady supply of water regardless of the prevailing weather conditions. Drip irrigation is a popular watering system among farmers due to its affordability and ease of assembly. Although different designs of drip irrigation systems are available in the market, all the models share specific components. This article highlights the constituent parts and their roles.

Pressure Regulators

Residential water pressure from the municipal council ranges between 45 and 80 psi. The range is considered too high for drip irrigation systems, which typically need approximately 25 psi for optimal performance. As such, drip irrigators need pressure regulators to control the flow of water from the main pipe. There are two types of pressure regulators: spring and diaphragms. Spring pressure regulators are designed for small drip irrigators, which are ideal for small gardens. On the other hand, diaphragm regulators are suited for larger farms. Pressure regulators are inexpensive and reliable components for maintaining water pressure at the desired level.

Filters

These components are critical to the performance of a drip irrigation system. Water pipes in a drip irrigation system have tiny holes through which droplets pass. The small outlets can clog easily, and filters play an essential role in keeping debris away from the pipes. However, you need to be careful when choosing filters because it depends on specific factors. For instance, if you are pumping water from a well or municipal water source, a screen filter will suffice. If you are using an underground water system, you must use sand filters.

Fertigation Injectors

Most farmers believe that drip irrigation systems are solely designed to supply plants with water. Although water supply is their primary function, drip irrigators are also useful for applying soluble fertilizers, such as nitrogen. The fertilizer injectors act by siphoning soluble fertilizer from a reservoir and pushing it into the water delivery system. However, fertilizer injectors must be installed in front of the filters to prevent contaminants in the fertilizer reservoir from entering the main drip delivery tubing. Fertigation injectors can be either electric or hydraulic. Remember, you might need a reduced-pressure vacuum breaker for the injectors to work optimally with a drip irrigation system.

To get the irrigation supplies you need for your system, talk to a supplier.  

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