CE 511 – A

IRRIGATION ENGINEERING
TTH 9-10:30am

SOURCES AND STORAGE

OF IRRIGATION WATER

Submitted by:

Ma. Shaira Vie T. Espinosa

Submitted to:

Engr. Irismay T. Jumawan

 SOURCES AND STORAGE OF IRRIGATION WATER

Water Supply

An adequate supply of water is the main requirement for an irrigation system. Before you
buy and install an irrigation system you must find a source of water and determine the rate, quantity
and quality of the water.

Irrigation Water Sources

Irrigation water can come from several sources:

 Rain
 Surface water
 Subsurface water
 Municipal water
 Wastewater

Rain Water
All crops need water to grow and produce yields. The most important source of water for
crop growth is rainfall.
Rain is liquid water in the form of droplets that have condensed from atmospheric water
vapor and then precipitated that is, become heavy enough to fall under gravity. Precipitation
replenishes streams, rivers and other surface water resources.
 Figure 1. Rainwater

Rain Barrel

It can be an inexpensive way to collect water for irrigation. Since the amount of water
available is small and dependability is low, it is best suited for a small garden.

Figure 2. Rain Barrel

Surface Water

Surface Water is water on the surface of the planet such as in a stream, river, lake, wetland,
or ocean. It is subject to contamination from a number of sources such as sediment, chemicals and
plant growth. These may need to be removed to make the water usable in an irrigation system.

 Rivers

A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards

an ocean, sea, lake or another river. Rivers can be reliable sources of irrigation water.
 s

Figure 3. River

 Lakes

A lake is a large body of water (larger and deeper than a pond) within a body of land. Natural
lakes are a good source of irrigation water, but often withdrawal of water for irrigation is restricted.
Unless a lake is large, or a farmer’s land completely surrounds the lake, it may not be a dependable
supply of water.

Figure 4. Lakes

 Streams

A stream is a body of water with surface water flowing within the bed and banks of a channel.
Stream flow is generally the cheapest source of water for irrigation. But, it is also the least
dependable. If your fields require more water than is available during dry weather, the water must
be stored to insure an adequate supply when needed.

At some sites it may be possible to form a reservoir by constructing a dam across a gully or
small valley that enters the stream. If the watershed above the dam is not large enough to furnish the
 required irrigation water, additional water can be pumped from the stream into the reservoir during
the spring when flow is plentiful, thus supplying.

Figure 5. Streams

 Ponds

A pond is an area filled with water, either natural or artificial, that is smaller than a lake. Are
usually a combination of rain water and run-off. Drainage ponds commonly contain fertilizers or
other agricultural chemicals. Because of the size and lack of aeration, biological conditions such as
algal growth may be a concern.

Figure 6. Ponds

 Brackish water

Brackish water is salt water and fresh water mixed together. It is saltier than fresh water, but
not as salty as seawater. It may result from mixing of seawater with fresh water, as in estuaries, or it
may occur in brackish fossil aquifers.
 In humid areas, brackish water can be used for irrigation. If the chief contaminant is sea water
at a low concentration and the crop is salt tolerant and there is enough rainfall to leach the salts out
of the root zone, then brackish water might be suitable.

Figure 7. Brackish Water

Subsurface Water

Subsurface water contributes to the flow of rivers and streams and provides most rural
populations with drinking water they get from domestic wells. This type of water is especially
important in arid areas where no surface water exists. Subsurface water also helps sustain the
farming industry by providing much of the water needed for irrigation.

Most irrigation water from subsurface sources is supplied by wells although springs may
work in some areas.

 Groundwater

It is the water located beneath the earth's surface in soil pore spaces and in the
fractures of rock formations.

A unit layer of rock or an unconsolidated deposit that holds water is called an aquifer when
it can yield a usable quantity of water.

Groundwater is also often withdrawn for agricultural, municipal and industrial use by
constructing and operating extraction wells.
 Figure 8. Groundwater

Drilled Wells

A well consists of a hole, with or without a supporting casing, extending down into a water-
bearing formation. Wells are dug, driven or drilled depending on the soils, rock and the depth to the
water table. Wells usually require a permit.
 It is a clean source of water for many greenhouse operations however, the water yield from
drilled wells is usually limited.

Figure 9. Drilled Well

Springs

A spring is a point at which water flows from an aquifer to the Earth's surface. It is a
component of the hydrosphere.

Natural springs near a crop field can be used as a source for irrigation water if the flow is
adequate during the summer. Usually a storage basin will be needed with a spring. The dependability
of a spring is difficult to estimate unless you have watched it over many seasons. The capacity of
springs can often be improved by excavating, cleaning and providing collection and storage facilities.
Caution must to be taken to avoid draining wetlands when developing a spring.

Figure
10. Natural Spring

Municipal Water
 City water can be used for irrigation, although it is usually too expensive for large fields. The
cost and quality are typically high since much of the water is for residential use and drinking water
and is treated. For small areas of high value crops, using city water may be less than the cost of
installing and operating pumps for an irrigation system. City water is perfect for drip irrigation
systems since most of the impurities have already been removed.

The key concerns are whether supply is guaranteed in times of shortages and what water
treatment procedures are used that may influence plant growth. Municipal water may have fluoride
and/or chlorine added at rates which is not a problem for most crops.

Figure 11. Municipal Water

Wastewater

The study shows that wastewater use in agriculture is at its highest where freshwater sources
are limited. Some farmers use wastewater because of its high nutrient content, which reduces the
need for costly fertilizers. However, most farmers rely on wastewater simply because it is their main
source of irrigation water. While many farmers around the world rely on wastewater for their crops,
the practice can be dangerous without proper treatment and management.

Sewage is a water-carried waste, in solution or suspension that is intended to be removed

from a community and also known as domestic or municipal wastewater. There are two main types
of wastewater: blackwater and grey water.
 Figure 12. Waste Water

 Blackwater

It is any sewage originating from toilets, kitchen sinks, and dishwashers. It contains
human or animal waste, as well as a variety of chemicals and contaminants from cleaning
agents. Blackwater is highly pathogenic and needs to go through a wastewater treatment
plant before being released the environment

Figure 13. Blackwater

 Grey water

It is the wastewater that originates from bathroom sinks, bathing fixtures, and laundry
fixtures. Because it does not contain human or animal waste, it is suitable for water reuse.
 Figure 14. Grey Water

Water Tank Trailer

Transporting water using a tank trailer or a truck mounted water tank may be a low cost
solution to water supply when a field is not close enough for direct irrigation from the water source
and the amount of water needed is relatively small.

Figure 15. Water Tank Trailer

Resources:
http://www.fao.org/3/r4082e/r4082e05.htm

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1097095.pdf

https://sciencing.com/surface-subsurface-water-resources-22528.html

https://www.fluencecorp.com/study-says-wastewater-use-in-crop-irrigation-higher-than-
thought/

https://ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-floriculture/greenhouse-best-management-practices-bmp-
manual/water-supply-sources