There are many different methods of irrigating crops. Gravity irrigation systems use field ditches or basins to deliver water to the field using gravity alone. Over the past few decades, many irrigators have moved from gravity irrigation systems to pressure irrigation systems.
Pressure irrigation systems continue to gain in popularity and deliver pressurized water to crops through pipes or tubing, including center pivot irrigation, drip irrigation, and sprinkler irrigation.
More than half of all irrigation systems are pressure irrigation systems. Under many field conditions, pressure irrigation systems use water more efficiently than gravity irrigation systems, with less water lost to runoff and evaporation.
Regardless of which irrigation method you use, an efficient irrigation system should have an effective smart electromagnetic flow meter.
When the pump is on, water flows, which incurs costs. Many irrigation systems use both electricity and fuel, which makes the system very expensive to operate.
Smart electromagnetic flow meters not only tell irrigators how much water they are using, but they are also a valuable tool for determining the health of the irrigation system and alerting irrigators if there are problems, leaks, or power outages.
Metering and monitoring irrigation systems can ensure efficiency and prevent costly system damage and failure.
There are several types of flow meters available for irrigation, with smart electromagnetic flow meters being the most popular choice.
Many electromagnetic flow meters are telemetry compatible, allowing growers to monitor and receive alerts of various flow anomalies in real time, and in some cases control irrigation systems, all from their phones, iPads, laptops, or desktop computers.
Reading a flow meter is a lot like reading the speedometer and odometer on a car.
Flow meters provide valuable information such as:
Flow rate – This is the pumping rate, usually in gallons per minute (GPM), but other units of measurement are available. Flow rate is similar to the speedometer on a car.
The flow rate on the meter shows how fast the water is currently being pumped, while the rate on a car speedometer shows how many miles per hour the car is traveling.
Knowing how much water is being pumped per time interval (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours) tells you how much water is being obtained from the source.
This valuable information is the actual pumping capacity (GPM), which helps growers determine how many acres of irrigation their flow rate can support. It is important to record this information regularly.
Flow information can also be used to assess annual or seasonal changes due to groundwater table decline, aquifer decline, pump wear, and overall system health.
Before the irrigation season begins, make sure your flow meter is in good working order. Just like your car or automobile, your flow meter needs regular maintenance. Smart electromagnetic flow meters have no moving parts, low maintenance costs, and a lower total cost of ownership.
If your smart electromagnetic flow meter is battery-powered, you need to record the last time the battery was replaced and make sure the flow meter's battery is working properly before the irrigation season begins.
Many electromagnetic flow meters for irrigation have a battery life of up to five years. Refer to the flow meter's maintenance manual for the manufacturer's stated expected battery life.
The flow meter is just one component of the entire irrigation system. The cost of purchasing and maintaining a flow meter is only a small part of the total system cost, but it can provide valuable information about water usage and irrigation system efficiency, helping irrigators make smart field management decisions.