Can manure water be used to flow through the Aquifer pipe to recharge?
Yes, manure water can have small particulate matter, however you will have to filter any large particles out of it.
Do the roots get into the pipe?
The Aquifer pipe is 4 to 5 feet below the surface in the middle of the service road, it’s distance is far enough for tree roots not to reach the pipe. The tree root growth reaches the moisture plume which is only 2 feet below the surface, this is where water and oxygen content is perfect for them, and avoids the pipe area where the soil is too saturated, even anaerobic.
Can this technique be used with existing trees or it only applies on new planting?
The Aquifer Pipe can be used in both scenarios, however the preferable technique is for pre-existing trees that are 3 years or older. For new planting, drip lines must be used for the first two years of growth and to encourage the root-system down towards the moisture plume.
Aquifer pipe vs drip irrigation?
Drip irrigation needs to be pressurized and have long run times from 12 hours to 72 hours. The Aquifer pipe is a gravity flow system and you only need to run it for 5 – 10 minutes to fill up the Aquifer Pipe. Nature will do the rest with capillary action.
With what type of crops can this technique be used for?
Our focus is on orchard crops growing anywhere; oranges, peaches, stone fruits to edible nuts.
From what materials is the product made?
The ABS pipe is made out of (ABS) post-industrial and eventually post-consumer use. Durable and hard plastic that uses (ABS) glue to seal the joints allowing you to create different runs. It typically comes at 10-foot lengths, we can also produce @ 20-foot length. It currently comes in a 6 inch diameter however we plan on making it in 10 inch as well as a 12 inch diameter. The 10 and 12 inch are specifically made to focus on areas where larger groundwater recharging is required. The goal with 10 to 12 inch pipes is the ability to generate groundwater banking credits during wet years.
Will the water pool on the surface?
No. The whole system is buried deep enough to avoid any surface water from accumulation on the surface.
How to prevent deep percolation during the growing season?
During cultivation we use artificial intelligence to manage the moisture plume and keep it at the right size of diameter, but not over saturated where water is lost to deep percolation.
How do you regulate the water added to groundwater?
In the first few years we measure the irrigation water demand of the trees. Once this volume is set, any water that is excess to this fixed number is a surplus flowing to the groundwater table.
Will the Aquiler Pipe cut through tree roots?
The Aquifer Pipe is placed in the middle of the service road. 10 feet away from any tree roots. Remember we are applying this procedure to every other service road, unless we find that the agricultural land has enough percolation capabilities to get the maximum water banking credits.
For how long has the Aquifer Pipe been around?
Four years ago we started taking greywater from the shower (and/or laundry) to irrigate lawns and landscapes in local urban cities. The idea was to be able to cut the water consumption (in urban areas) and demonstrate how we can keep the soil surface dry. Then one day a farmer asked us if this can be used on his farm, we said yes, hence we got to work and designed a 6 inch version for his orchards. He’s now a happy farmer. The Aquifer Pipe is now available on Lowe’s.com.