There are many reasons why water conservation matters. Ecological responsibility is certainly one of these factors. Communities such as the state of California that are often ravaged by drought have no choice but to be mindful of the way in which they water their crops.
There are also financial and time restrictive reasons why it makes sense to save water. However, doing this is often easier said than done.
If you’re one of the many people who know they need to conserve water in their agricultural practices but are unsure how to do it then we may have the solution for you.
Today we examine seven different tips on how to save water:
- Drip Irrigation,
- Capturing and Storing Water,
- Irrigation Scheduling,
- Drought-Tolerant Crops,
- Compost and Mulch,
- Low-Energy Spray Irrigation
- Water Efficiency Using Bioretention
That in mind, read on to learn how to conserve money in your agricultural practices.
Why Does Water Conservation Matter?
One of the simplest reasons to conserve water is the fact that there is less of it than many people think. Despite the fact that nearly three-fourths of the planet is water, a critically small portion of it can be used for drinking or the raising of crops.
Only three percent of our water is fresh, and of that percentage, an even smaller fraction is readily accessible.
Mindful water consumption is conducive to being a good citizen. It helps reduce the risk of drought (which is especially important in communities that are at risk for drought in the first place).
Less water also means less stress on the environment in general. Water processing requires energy which subsequently takes a toll on the air quality.
If you want to save money on your water bills and be a better global citizen, here are seven ways to make it happen.
Water Conservation Tips
Here are seven water-saving practices that have been proven to work.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of a plant, thus eliminating much of the waste associated with your average sprinkler system.
There is certainly a significant cost associated with investing in a drip irrigation system. However, it will pay for itself over time. Farmers have been able to save up to eighty percent on their watering annually, making this an extremely effective means of conservation.
In addition to increasing water use efficiency, it may also improve the rate of plant growth thanks to the overall improved efficiency of the system.
Capturing and Storing Water
There is also the option of capturing and storing fresh water. Through this process, natural rainwater is stored in reservoirs such as human-built ponds for later use.
This method of conservation is both affordable and restorative, in so far as the fact that the water reservoirs can double as a habitat for wildlife in some cases.
Irrigation Scheduling
Timing is everything when it comes to watering your crops. An understanding of the natural elements at work that impact your crop’s health is critical when it comes to avoiding under or overwatering.
To know when to water it’s important to monitor forecasts and pay attention to levels of soil moisture. Adjusting your irrigation schedule on the basis of natural forces doesn’t just save water, but it also ensures that your plants getting exactly what they need.
Drought-Tolerant Crops
Growing climate-appropriate crops is one of the most fundamental ways to conserve water. If you live in a region that is prone to drought, then growing crops resilient to that set of circumstances is a good idea.
Growing plants native to your region is one way to ensure they will do well in whatever common weather situations they are put up against.
Compost and Mulch
Mulch and compost are both resources that make your watering more efficient. Compost is able to help soil better absorb water, while mulch aids in the conservation of moisture.
In short, the more efficient your watering strategy, the less water you will need to use to keep your crops healthy.
Low-Energy Spray Irrigation
Low energy spray irrigation has much in common with traditional sprinkler systems. The operating function is essentially the same: to water via direct contact with the plant.
There are two principal differences between a low-energy spray system, and the conventional sprinkler: intensity and proximity.
Low-energy spray systems spray very gently onto the crops which sharply decreases water use as a result.
The low-intensity is compensated for by the closeness of the spray nozzle to the plant. Simply by keeping the spray system closer to the ground, more than 90% of the water is used by the plant.
Bioretention (Water efficiency)
Last but not least, bioretention. Bioretention soil is water efficient which means that it absorbs and stores moisture better than many traditionally used materials.
Bioretention practices make good use of natural water while also functioning as a filter against environmental risks. Bioretention soil, for example, naturally filters against pollutants.
Conclusion
Water conservation isn’t a trendy string of buzzwords, it’s a practice critical to the overall health of your crops and your community.
Some of the means of saving water are simple. Monitoring the weather and paying attention to your soil quality can do much of the leg work for you.
Other means of conservation, such as investing in a new irrigation system are more labor intensive, but ultimately well worth the time and money that goes into them.
The good news is that you don’t have to enter into this process alone. Professional help can make conserving water much simpler.
Want To Learn More? We’d Love To Help
At Norcal Ag Service we have experience connecting our customers with the efficient soil that they need to conserve water and see their plants thrive.
Contact us today for a free quote, and some guidance that will help get you on track with the right product for your needs!
