According to the 2019 United Nations World Water Development Report, the agriculture sector is by far the world’s largest water consumer. It accounts for 69% of global water withdrawals annually, which includes the use of water in irrigation, tending livestock, and aquaculture. This data only underscores how vital water is as a resource for farms everywhere, which is why a lack of steady water supply can prove to be disastrous—if not outright unsustainable—for any farming operation.
There are, fortunately, viable solutions to ensure that farms always have a connection to a water supply for their daily needs, and having a reliable standpipe system is one of them. Here is an overview of how water truck standpipes play a crucial role in helping farms maintain efficient operations:
Efficient Water Distribution
There are times when a primary water source is far away from your farming operation’s location or perhaps the one nearest isn’t enough to fulfill your requirements. In such situations, having a standpipe system installed in your premises can greatly help supplement your water needs. This can be especially useful for large-scale projects that are in remote areas, as well as farms that cultivate various types of crops or care for large herds of animals and thus would need steady and efficient water distribution for its daily operations.
Seamless Irrigation
The foremost use of standpipes in farming is in irrigation systems. With proper irrigation in place, farmers can ensure that water system requirements for crops are fulfilled, despite dry seasons or times when rainfall is irregular. Equipped with pumps, tubes, and sprays, standpipe systems allow farmers to be in control of how much water is to be distributed on their fields as well as set a schedule for when it will be deployed.
For many farms, particularly larger ones, this kind of artificial irrigation is the only way to efficiently supply their crops with water. Without it, they face the risk of reduced yield from their fields or, worse, entire crops may fail to grow and produce harvest. Through the help of standpipes, farmers can obtain water as much as needed to maintain their fields and thus reap successful harvests.
Apart from irrigation, other uses of standpipe systems in the agriculture setting include aquaculture, hydroponics, providing water for livestock (for consumption and cooling), soil moisture management, and equipment and facility sanitation.
What to Look for in a Standpipe System and Standpipe Provider
For optimum performance, standpipe systems must be suited specifically to the needs of your farm. Do you have a big farm? Do you plant water-intensive crops? Simply put, if you want to procure a standpipe system for your agricultural operations, it’s important to know what qualities to look for in both the system itself and in a liquid management solutions provider. Below is a quick list of things you need to consider:
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Made with quality materials
A farm’s irrigation system sees daily use. So, make sure that the standpipe system you acquire is made with high-quality materials that can withstand robust use or harsh weather conditions. After all, a standpipe that corrodes easily can contaminate your water supply and pose dangers to the crops and livestock. Avoid this risk by choosing products with premium construction.
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Suitable for your farm’s specific requirements
To guarantee optimal results, the standpipe system you choose should not only be durable but also suited for your particular project requirements. For example, its size should accommodate your water truck’s height. Ideally, you should also be able to regulate water flow as needed. Look for a liquid management solutions provider who is willing to assess your project site and recommend what standpipe system would work best.
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Safe and quick installation
It’s ideal to look for a standpipe provider that guarantees timely installation, so you can get your standpipe system running as soon as possible. This prevents too much downtime for your operations. Of course, it’s not enough that deployment is just quick—it must be done safely as well. Check if the supplier has the proper equipment as well as expert personnel to set up the system for you in a secure and safe manner.
Do note that there are portable standpipes that can be easily transported and then assembled within minutes. These are great options if ever there’s a need to move your water source for any reason.
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Open for customizations
In order to suit your operations and meet your requirements, your chosen standpipe system must be customizable. Some of the add-ons you may need are standpipe controllers, which are used to regulate and manage water flow through the pipes; automated valves, which you can open or close automatically depending on water needed; and pump starts, which automatically pumps water in the standpipe when current levels drop below a particular threshold.
Standpipes are a crucial addition to any farm to ensure a consistent water supply, no matter the location or weather conditions. Take great care in choosing the standpipe system you install for your project to ensure maximum productivity, efficiency, and safety.
