Irrigation

Dowdens Solutions

Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation is an excellent water irrigation method that can have a significant impact on the land. By slowly drawing water either onto the soil surface or directly on the root zone of the crops, you can supply sufficient water as well as fertiliser to prevent over-watering and conserve water resources. Drip irrigation networks can either sit above ground or be submerged underground — offering a considerable benefit to crops, lawns and other vegetation by minimising evaporation and encouraging your greenery to absorb more water and nutrients.

Sprinkler irrigation

There are three main methods of sprinkler irrigation. Each offers its advantages and disadvantages depending on where you need to supply water. Some sprinkler systems include:

• Pop-up sprinklers

Pop-up sprinklers, as the name implies, pop out of the ground and retract again when not in use. They allow you to supply water to large land areas and require irrigation pumps to maintain water pressure and a constant flow to ensure enough coverage to water a lawn, golf course or bowling green.

• Mini sprinklers and micro-jets

More suitable for smaller outdoor areas such as shrubbery, perennials and orchards, mini sprinklers and micro-jets allow you to water targeted areas with little wastage and water run-off. Whilst they work well in smaller spaces, they can be damaged easily and require active use for longer periods to supply adequate water.

• Overhead sprinklers

Typically confined to nurseries and orchards, overhead sprinklers quickly supply water to larger areas with the downside of increased water wastage. Overhead sprinklers require adequate irrigation water pumps to maintain high water pressure — otherwise, you risk your irrigation pump burning out.

Centre pivot and linear irrigation

Large pastures and cropping areas require advanced pumping and irrigation. This can be achieved through centre pivot and linear irrigation systems, which allow for the highly efficient water supply necessary to service large areas.

The centre pivot releases water from the centre resulting in water being released in circular motions, and linear irrigation involves water being discharged in a straight back and forth movement.

Controlled flood irrigation

As the name implies, controlled flood irrigation requires land to be flooded to quickly supply large pastures of grain and fodder crops with water. Flood fed irrigation offers a fast and efficient water supply to secure and manage crops devoted to food supply channels.

Your trustworthy irrigation suppliers

Dowden offers a full-service experience to help you meet your irrigation needs. Whether you require an irrigation pump for domestic use or a large installation for industrial applications, we can tailor our services to best meet your specifications. With decades of experience across different industries, we have the expertise to install and manage water irrigation systems designed to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.

Product options include:

• Complete Irrigation Systems from the water source to the irrigated area can be supplied and installed.
• Travelling irrigators, booms, centre pivots, lateral move and subsurface systems
• Electric or diesel driven pump systems complete with control and protection equipment.
• Electrical control equipment – variable speed drives, remote start/stop control and monitoring.
• Piping, fittings and accessories
• Control Valves (pressure reducing, relief, etc)
• Poly tanks
• Solar-powered systems
• Farm efficiency reports for new and existing installations
• Groundwater supply systems
• Surface and subsurface piping, fittings and accessories

Dowdens Applications

• Cattle, sugarcane and cotton farming
• Plant nurseries
• Sporting stadiums and complexes
• Golf courses
• Council parks, roundabouts, gardens etc.
• Residential homes & gardens

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