Twenty-one years of megadrought in the West has taken a toll on water quality. Reduced stream and river flow increase the concentration of pollutants in water and stagnation can occur. In addition, higher water temperatures in lakes and reservoirs lead to reduced oxygen levels and higher organic loads.
In times of drought, agricultural users rely more on groundwater, which affects aquifers and can potentially shift contamination plumes. Increased water pumping can also cause saltwater intrusion into some aquifers. Runoff from drought-related wildfires can carry extra sediment, ash, charcoal, and woody debris to surface waters, killing fish and other aquatic life by decreasing oxygen levels in the water. Over time all these factors take a toll on your irrigation system and cost you time and money to repair significant issues.
What Are Ag Water Treatment Solutions
Today, more than ever, growers can’t afford to wastewater. Ag water treatment solutions are a way to keep your micro-irrigation system running in peak condition. Ag water treatment solutions include Irrigation line treatment for fouled systems. This can consist of a shock cleaning specifically designed to remove entrenched contaminates. Many types of system fouling can occur:
- Mineral Scaling and Buildup – From calcium, bicarbonate
- Biological Fowling, Scaling and Buildup – Bacteria, Algae, etc.
A fouled system must be cleaned before any preventative maintenance can begin. All organic and/or inorganic deposits must be removed throughout the irrigation system during the remediation process. This critical first step will improve system efficiency immediately, provide the platform for a successful preventative maintenance program, and help maximize water use efficiency.
Distribution Uniformity
Distribution Uniformity measures how uniformly water is applied to the area being irrigated. For example, a distribution uniformity of 100 means all the irrigated area is getting the same amount of water. Getting equal water and nutrients to all plants or trees is critical for growers. Unfortunately, mineral scaling and biological build-up decrease distribution uniformity significantly. A consistent maintenance approach to water treatment keeps the distribution uniformity high. Keeping the lines clean means less chance of fouling or plugging your system. This means more water getting to your plants and trees and not having to overwater to make up for the areas with low distribution uniformity.
Follow-Up Maintenance Program
Once the remediation treatment has proven successful, it is recommended to continue with a maintenance program to manage the risks of further system fouling. A solid maintenance solution is based on water type/source and the associated plugging/fouling risk. Treatments are low dose and run by continuously dosing the solution to modify the water chemistry to keep the system running at peak performance.
If you are not using an ag water treatment service now is the time to look. If you are already using a service, you should check out what IDC has to offer in this area, here. Our years of experience and proprietary BioDrip treatment make this the choice for growers wanting the best for their irrigation systems.
