Irrigation Systems: Conserving Water Supplies

Many people wish to conserve our Earth's limited natural resources—most especially water. As the world is experiencing many environmental issues and many precious resources are being consumed at a fast rate, many initiatives have been undertaken to conserve water. Farmers now resort to wiser means of irrigating their fields and crops, and many have chosen to install drip irrigation systems.

Also known as trickle irrigation, drip irrigation is an effective means of saving water and fertilizer, as the system lets water flow slowly to the base area of the plants. Instead of sprinkling water all over the fields, which wastes gallons of water, drip irrigation targets the root area of the plants directly by dripping water slowly to the root zone. Less water is consumed, and water supplies are conserved in areas that have a limited supply.

Drip irrigation systems are made possible by small pipes, valves, and emitters that are designed to deliver water directly to the roots. Due to the growing use of this technology, farmers are not just able to contribute to water conservation efforts, they also benefit from cheaper water supplies and less intensive farming. Farmers that choose this irrigation system now enjoy lower water, fertilizer, labor, and energy costs, among others.