Sustainable Irrigation

1.1 Introduction
Irrigation is the supply of water to landscape or agricultural crops by artificial means. Water
scarcity is being increasingly accepted as a major limitation for increased landscape
developments and agricultural production.
We have to be innovative in order to cope with scarce water sources and keep development
going, i.e. sustainable. The first rule of innovation tells us that the best key you could ever
design is the one which does not exist at all, that is how one can drive their car without
turning a key to start the engine. This interprets into sustainable irrigation as reducing or
eliminating the need for irrigation. Use of native species or plants well-adopted to the desert
climate would suit the purpose and save water from the beginning.
Effective operation of landscape irrigation water requires accurate evaluation of plant need
for water and the performance of the irrigation system in delivering that water. Irrigation water
use depends on the plant water requirement, weather, the uniformity of the distribution of the
water within the root zone, and the extra amount of water applied by management for
uncertainty in the plant water requirement, risk aversion and so forth. Effective water
management seeks to balance the needs of the landscape without wasting water.
Even though the target is to reduce the use of water as much as possible, there will be times
and not rare, that we have to supply water for irrigation. Our first strategy should be to look
for renewable resources, resources that will lead forever when used in balance with the
nature. Use of captured rainwater and recycled water serves very well for this purpose and
philosophy of sustainable development. Albeit low quantities of rain in Abu Dhabi may not
allow effective use of rain water, treated sewerage effluent (TSE) can be successfully used
for irrigation. Increasing the number of treatment plants would increase the investment costs
at the beginning but would contribute in reducing the quantity of potable water used for
irrigation. Measures are not limited to the use of TSE only. Treated greywater or reclaimed
water can also be used for the irrigation if the landscape is designed to include salt tolerant
species with a similar analogy to the drought-tolerant plants mentioned above.

1.2 Effective Irrigation Techniques

Thorough understanding of the plant species, climate and soil condition is one of the most
important criteria while designing sustainable irrigation system. Wind speed, wind direction,
evapotranspiration, water holding capacity, infiltration rate of the soil are to be clearly studied
and irrigation duration, frequency of irrigation, type of application devices are to be selected
based on the above study. Irrigation application devices are to be chosen to suit the
plantation and at the same time to get maximum distribution efficiency and uniformity.
Adequate measures are to be implemented to increase the water holding capacity of the soil
and proper care shall be taken while selecting the precipitation rate of the application devices
in order to ensure that the precipitation shall be less than the infiltration rate of the soil to
avoid percolation and runoff losses.

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1.2.1 Methods of Irrigation
Water is delivered to plants using variety of technologies. Each technology has improved the
efficiency of delivery as a way to reduce water use and target individual plants. Overhead
sprinkler irrigation, spray irrigation, micro irrigation and subsurface irrigation are various
methods. Again selection of irrigation methods is important to minimise spillage, drift losses
and other losses like evaporation. Sub-surface irrigation system, which reduces the water
use by reducing the evapotranspiration, may prove to be an effective method if designed and
installed properly. An elaborated study on sub-surface irrigation technique is being carried
out by the Authorities in Abu Dhabi. The system is being tested and research is going on to
develop the application procedure and successfully implement the system for general use.

1.2.2 Automatic irrigation controller

An irrigation controller shall be installed that will direct and monitor irrigation system and
sensors. It should be linked to a weatherstation or at least with soil moisture sensors.
Irrigation shall start when the level of soil moisture content is 50% of the filed capacity of the
soil and stops at field capacity. This will ensure minimum or zero percolation.

1.2.3 Operating Procedures

Following proper design and installation, the most important element of landscape irrigation
system is rigorous and regular maintenance and management protocol. This includes,
regular monitoring and adjustment of watering times and duration based on seasons as well
as ongoing testing and monitoring to minimise and rapidly repair leaks, broken laterals and
feeder lines or missing emitters. Cleaning of valve screens and filters is suggested to ensure
proper flow rates to each plant.