HOW IT WORKS

Aquifer Pipe, a sub-irrigation pipe that creates a virtual water table and moisture zone near the crops roots zone. The moisture zone is accessible to the roots by natural capillary movement. The whole process is very similar to hydroponic growing, but in the field.

The Aquifer Pipe is designed with 2 side chambers that act as subterranean streams feeding water along the length of the pipe. The water then flows through 3/16 holes on the sidewall into a center saturated channel (virtual water table).  The number of holes can be added or subtracted based on the soil type.

The center channel acts as the virtual water table, placed at a depth that avoids plows or cultivators. The area above the virtual water table acts naturally, sucking water upward by capillary action. This upward movement is usually 18” to 24” tall and 24” to each side creating a desirable high-moisture oxygen zone to feed plants. The constant availability of water to the roots have shown higher yields of 70% to 283%, as well as faster plant growth.  The irrigation system has been described as a natural hydroponic growing system.

Aquifer Pipe
Aquifer Pipe Diagram

FEATURES & BENEFITS

  • Fix long-term irrigation life expectancy by 85+ years. Install once and leave it on the ground.  Savings; irrigation labor, material and maintenance.
  • Cut 50%+ water use by:

           Eliminating water loss to surface evaporation.

           Avoid water loss to deep percolation.

           Avoid fertilizer leaching into groundwater.

           Better distribution; not affected by wind or round sprinkler patterns.

  • Avoid high cost of filtration equipment (200 screen filter only)
  • Avoid cost of acid cleaners (3/16 pipe holes are too large to clog)
  • Decrease weed germination (no surface water).
  • No water runoff during irrigation due to a closed system.
  • Can work as drainage tiles during large rains, allowing early fields entry (climate adaptable).

IRRIGATION PROCESS

Aquifer Pipe is a gravity-fed irrigation product. Pipes are installed at a level grade. This allows the development of a virtual water table across the whole field. 

Start by flooding the two side chambers on each latter pipe until full. Allow natural seepage into the center virtual water table channel until saturation occurs.. Allow for natural upward vertical capillary action up into the soil. Recharge the full area again to meet soils holding capacity. Irrigated moisture zones will then broaden and overlap by creating a consistent moisture zone blanket. 

Irrigation cycle is every 3–5 days’ cycle, depending on plants evapotranspiration rate and soils.

DURING RAINS

Light rains and on fallow fields the excess surface water flows into Aquifer Pipe irrigation to allow deep percolation. When necessary to enter the field early after heavy rains, open up the end cap(s) to allow water to drain out of topsoil and into the drainage ditch.  Save water in the reservoir for future reuse in the Aquifer Pipe.

CHANGES IN FARMING PRACTICE

This is a game-changing irrigation system, just as irrigation pipe and sprinklers were game changers in the 1930’s and drip irrigation in the 1960’s. The Aquifer Pipe design mimics nature; therefore, the process is proven and will require a new way of farming. Keep in mind the goals are; to save water, increase yields and save on labor costs. 

Changes in farming to consider:

  • The development of the natural capillary action of the soil is important. 
  • No deep ripping
  • Low impact tilling or no till (more of a mulching of previous crop)
  • Learning your field’s capillary lift will help in keeping the top two inches of the surface dry and prevent weed growth (labor) and water lost to evaporation (energy).
  • Lower or no planting beds, which is by far the hardest custom to break.  Not needed, since fallow irrigation is not applied and the aquifer pipe can drain the fields during rains.
  • For row crops – seed germinating by sprinklers is still needed until roots reach the subsurface moisture zone. We recommend our sprinkler hose product as a labor saving option with great water distribution.
  • For trees and vines, we recommend portable sprinklers to help establish root growth to the subsurface moisture zone 12” – 24” below the surface.

 

FAQs
DURING RAINS

Aquifer Pipe is a gravity-fed irrigation product. Pipes are installed at a level grade. This allows the development of a virtual water table across the whole field. 

Start by flooding the two side chambers on each latter pipe until full. Allow natural seepage into the center virtual water table channel until saturation occurs.. Allow for natural upward vertical capillary action up into the soil. Recharge the full area again to meet soils holding capacity. Irrigated moisture zones will then broaden and overlap by creating a consistent moisture zone blanket. 

Irrigation cycle is every 3–5 days’ cycle, depending on plants evapotranspiration rate and soils.

Will roots block the pipe? 

  • Row crops: Roots are usually shallow. The changing of the crop root never grow deep enough to block any passages.

Trees and Vines:

  • The pipe is kept in perpetual moisture. Roots will not move into a fully saturated zone, they prefer to stay in the moisture zone that has a nice combination of moisture and oxygen. 
  • The pipe is usually positioned far away from the root ball and roots will not travel distance when they have access to the moisture zone . 
  • Even if roots reach the pipe, water has the ability to find a flow path through any obstacle by discovering the smallest openings between roots.

Will the pipe get blocked by soil? 

  • Soil is porous. Water will find a path through it and stay within the pipe since the bottom is non porous.

What if I rent my growing fields? 

  • Ask your landlord if you can install it. It will become a lease-hold improvement that makes their land more rentable as water availability becomes more of an issue.