Farm Water Supplies

Deficiencies in the quantity and quality of water supply can be fatal to a farm enterprise. For these reasons, farmers need to plan the development of their water resources. They need to be installed correctly, and managed well, to maximise the return on this type of investment. Farmers need to appreciate the level of reliability to expect, to avoid the need to implement emergency measures at the next 'normal' dry spell. In many cases, it is necessary to reticulate the water from its storage location to some other watering point. The principles behind component selection and system design are presented, because such equipment has a limited capacity, and must be installed correctly. Correct planning is vital - for good times and drought - because water supply often determines the productivity of a farm. Variability in levels of water supply and demand is a crucial factor in designing storage and distribution systems, so careful attention is given to how to make allowance for it in farm water planning. A detailed examination of pumps and reticulation systems covers the economic, mechanical and topographic considerations as well as materials and maintenance