Irrigation of the future

EconoTube drip irrigation is the most efficient method of irrigating. While sprinkler systems waste around 75-80% of water used, drip systems typically deliver efficiency of 90% or higher. What that means is much less wasted water! For this reason drip is the preferred method of irrigation in the desert regions of the United States, Israel and Africa. But drip irrigation has other benefits which make it useful almost anywhere. It is easy to install, easy to design, can be very inexpensive, and can reduce disease problems associated with high levels of moisture on some plants. If you want to grow a rain forest however, drip irrigation will work but might not be the best choice!

Drip irrigation (sometimes called trickle irrigation) works by applying water slowly, directly to the soil. The high efficiency of drip irrigation results from two primary factors. The first is that the water soaks into the soil before it can evaporate or run off. The second is that the water is only applied where it is needed, (at the plant's roots) rather than sprayed everywhere. While drip systems are simple and pretty forgiving of errors in design and installation, there are some guidelines that if followed, will make for a much better drip system. The purpose of this web site is to guide you toward materials and methods that will increase the benefits of your new found knowledge of drip irrigation, while steering you away from some common misconceptions and practices that can cause you trouble.