Using Totes for irrigation supply--Questions:

[charlz]

In 1000' feet of pvc plus whatever lines for sprinklers you are going to have a lot of pressure loss due to friction loss. The totes and irrigation pump should be put as close to where you need the water as possible. Friction/pressure loss from the well doesn't matter as much because you are just filling the totes, not trying to run sprinklers. On the irrigation side I would figure out your zones, use a controller with 'master valve' or 'pump start' feature and a low water cut out switch before that. Then you have to do some figuring on how long each zone can run, how long it takes to fill the tanks back up etc. I would make your tank setup expandable so you can add more totes in the future if needed/desired.

If your well only produces 10GPM, how long can it sustain that? If you use auto-fill on the totes your well pump is going to start running shortly after your irrigation pump comes on. If your well can't produce 10gpm for hours on end it might run the pump dry. Really needs to be checked during the dry times.

 

[PatasColo]

If your well only produces 10GPM, how long can it sustain that? If you use auto-fill on the totes your well pump is going to start running shortly after your irrigation pump comes on. If your well can't produce 10gpm for hours on end it might run the pump dry. Really needs to be checked during the dry times.

Good point. It is likely that for many wells, given certain circumstances (like the drought we're having now), the well recovery rate will be less than the rate at which you are extracting water. Here is a kind of switch that can be used to protect your well pump, in the absence of pressure tanks (where a "low pressure switch" could be utilized; the article talks about both types). Article: Cycle Stop Valves, Inc.

Disclaimer: I have never used nor purchased this kind of switch, but have researched them a bit lately as the nationwide drought has dragged on. :shocked:

-Mitch