Irrigation Systems

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil. In agricultural systems irrigation is mostly used to replace shortfalls in rainfall especially during periods of drought. Water may also be used to protect plants against frost or to suppress weed growing in places such as rice fields. In the home garden and lawn, a residential irrigation system may be installed for summer or winter usage, depending on the climatic zone. These systems are easy to install but would require prior careful planning. Residential irrigation systems mainly deploy the sprinkler method which is easy to maintain.

Agriculture Irrigation Systems

In agriculture, irrigation systems are installed according to the water obtained from its source and the method by which water is to be distributed within the irrigation area. Various types of irrigation techniques and systems are applied with the overall goal of supplying the entire irrigation area uniformly and efficiently with the required water. The most common agricultural irrigation systems are surface irrigation, localized irrigation, drip or trickle irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, center pivot irrigation, wheel line irrigation and sub-irrigation (seepage irrigation) systems. Most commercial and residential irrigation systems are “in ground” systems where pipes, sprinklers, and irrigation valves are buried in the ground.

Irrigation Water

Irrigation water sources include groundwater extracted from springs and wells as well as surface water withdrawn from rivers, lakes or reservoirs. Some irrigation systems draw secondary supply from non-conventional sources such as treated wastewater, desalinated water or drainage water. Another common source of water for small scale irrigation is rainwater harvesting where rain from roofs or from a surface catchments are collected and stored. Rainwater harvesting for irrigation is common in places where there is a prolonged dry season. However, in places where there is enough rain for collection, rainwater harvesting is also common for human consumption.