Test PB Collection: FTE

Filtration Guidelines for Irrigation Water Filters...

Self-flushing lateral line end caps, used on a subsurface drip system in tree crops Photo: L.

Manifold flush valves for a row crop subsurface drip system Photo: L.

Storage reservoir with organic contamination Photo: L. SchwanklBiological growths in drip lines and emitters can be a serious problem when the irrigation water contains organic sediments, iron, or hydrogen sulfide. The primary contributors to biological growths are algae and bacteria.

Water in an irrigation reservoir with a high organic contamination level Photo: L.

Storage tank for chemicals injected through the microirrigation system Photo: L.

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).