Gravity-Fed Irrigation and Pond Construction in Yunguilla Valley

Because of the fertile earth, the acres of undeveloped land, and the pleasant, year-round climate, a lot of residents have taken to farming in the Yunguilla Valley. Of course, growing produce is not as easy as it seems. You’ll need to work out several things to ensure that you will reap what you’ve sown. One of these things is irrigation. Two popular options in the valley are gravity-fed irrigation and ponds. Let’s take a closer look.

Gravity-fed irrigation

If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to keep your plants hydrated and healthy, you should consider installing a gravity-fed irrigation system. Considerably more affordable than other irrigation options, gravity-fed irrigation works well in Yunguilla Valley as the area receives just the right amount of precipitation in a year.

How it works

A gravity-fed irrigation system needs the following components:

• A water reservoir
• Support structure
• Piping
• Timer and filer
• Valves
• Drip lines

At the most basic level, gravity-fed irrigation works by filling an elevated reservoir with water. A pipe attached to the bottom of the reservoir allows water to flow to a basic drip irrigation system, which you can control manually or by using a battery-powered timer.

To keep your system going, you’ll need to maintain it. The hosing and your timer’s battery must be replaced every season, and you’ll need to flush the filter periodically. Before using it for another season, do make sure to wash the container with bleach as well.

Pond construction

Farm ponds are another option to solve your irrigation problems, but can be quite costly. Here are some things you should remember about pond construction.

There are two types of ponds. An embankment pond is basically a dam located across a stream, while an excavated pond is formed through digging. If you’re in a flat area, an excavated pond is highly recommended as it’s easy to construct.

Estimating the amount of water your pond can hold is very important as it affects its depth and size. Also, don’t forget to determine the cost of the following: drain pipe installation, spillway construction, dirt removal, and other processes.

Filed under: Ecuador Real Estate Blog by LiveTheLifeinEcuador
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