Irrigation Management

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Open Access
Sensitivity of micro irrigation emitters to plugging using treated municipal wastewaters
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2000-06) Chica, R., author; Roldán, J., author; Alcaide, M., author; Camacho, E., author; U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Treated municipal wastewater can be used in trickle irrigation methods, but if we want to have a high application efficiency a good management is required. Clogging of emitters is one of the most important problems directly associated with the quality of irrigation water. This problem is increased when poor quality waters like wastewaters are used. The sensitivity of different commercial emitters was studied when they were working continuously during 620 hours. The objective was to find a relationship between emitter type and partial or complete plugging. A lateral with six different emitters was placed in a controlled experiment in laboratory. Municipal wastewater with a primary treatment was used. Later, this water was also filtered. Results showed that pressure compensating emitters have a high sensitivity to clogging. Small pressure increments can help to clean plugged emitters. Plugging can also be decreased if wastewater with primary treatment is filtered. Non compensating pressure emitters showed a best behavior versus poor quality water.