Anybody experienced with installation and operation of drip irrigation from a non-potable source?
I'm wrapping up installation of 153' of retaining wall around the outside of my pool with new landscaping for most of that length. In this drought! I've carried water a bucket at a time since May, and I'm about shot. I had planned for irrigation in the future, but I'm spending half of my spare time trying to keep plants alive in blistering heat, and haven't had time to do anything about it. Our well water is very high in sodium bicarbonate, and it will kill many plants, so we have been pumping water out of our pond and a nearby creek to water all these new plants.
Long term, I plan on installing a cistern to capture rain water from the downspouts of our house, and using a pump to create a pressurized system for the irrigation. That is the easy part. I'd like to be able to just get the system operational ASAP with water tanked from my pond, which will be even dirtier than the cistern water. I'd also plan to be able to use alternative water sources in the future since my cistern won't be refilling at the times I'll need it most.
I know that the drip system needs clear water, and I plan to add filters before the water enters the drip tubing, but since my water may have debris, I want to add a pre-filter before the water enters the pump, and I'd like to find something seriously oversized to minimize cleaning. I'm looking at Rusco filters like this one Anybody have any guidance on that filter or an alternative? Rusco recommends 100 mesh for domestic water, but should I go better than that for drip?
I'm wrapping up installation of 153' of retaining wall around the outside of my pool with new landscaping for most of that length. In this drought! I've carried water a bucket at a time since May, and I'm about shot. I had planned for irrigation in the future, but I'm spending half of my spare time trying to keep plants alive in blistering heat, and haven't had time to do anything about it. Our well water is very high in sodium bicarbonate, and it will kill many plants, so we have been pumping water out of our pond and a nearby creek to water all these new plants.
Long term, I plan on installing a cistern to capture rain water from the downspouts of our house, and using a pump to create a pressurized system for the irrigation. That is the easy part. I'd like to be able to just get the system operational ASAP with water tanked from my pond, which will be even dirtier than the cistern water. I'd also plan to be able to use alternative water sources in the future since my cistern won't be refilling at the times I'll need it most.
I know that the drip system needs clear water, and I plan to add filters before the water enters the drip tubing, but since my water may have debris, I want to add a pre-filter before the water enters the pump, and I'd like to find something seriously oversized to minimize cleaning. I'm looking at Rusco filters like this one Anybody have any guidance on that filter or an alternative? Rusco recommends 100 mesh for domestic water, but should I go better than that for drip?