Double-venturi injection system Photo: L. SchwanklTreating irrigation water with a biocide will minimize the growth of organic contaminants and often destroy the organic material, minimizing the clogging hazard. Three biocide methods are commonly used to treat irrigation water.
Venturi injector with small pump. Photo: L. SchwanklChlorine is often added to irrigation water to oxidize and destroy biological microorganisms such as algae, fungi, and bacteria.
Storage reservoir with heavy biological growth. Photo: L. Schwankl Copper-based biocides are very effective at controlling biological contaminants in water, and are most often used to control algae and other organisms in irrigation ponds and reservoirs.
Ozone is formed by passing oxygen through an electric discharge field (corona discharge method) or by exposing oxygen to ultraviolet radiation (UV ozone generation). Ozone (O3), contains three oxygen atoms as compared to the two oxygen atoms in a normal oxygen molecule (O2).
Microirrigation system that uses a tablet form of sodium hypochlorite as a biocide. Photo: L. SchwanklAdding acid (e.g., sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, etc.
There is a range of devices and chemicals on the market that their manufacturers claim treat water and prevent microirrigation clogging. It is not the purpose of this website to discuss these products, but a word of caution to prospective purchasers is warranted. Be very careful before you buy.
