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Drip irrigation system installation guide and cost per acre in USA

Drip irrigation systems reduce irrigation water waste and increase the productivity of crops and farming precisely. We can keep eye on the irrigation of every single plant through the help of a drip irrigation system.

Obviously, a drip irrigation system is costlier than normal methods of irrigation like a center pivot irrigation system. Let's understand the estimated cost of installation of drip irrigation on one-acre land. 

Drip irrigation System cost

Although drip irrigation system cost is very high it benefits for longer periods and purposes. It reduces the waste of water most of all and makes the process of irrigation precise and easier.

Drip irrigation cost per acre in USA

Let's get you an average estimated cost to install a drip irrigation system on one acre of land. Drip irrigation can be done over ground and sub-surface irrigation.

Drip irrigation installation cost per acre

If you arrange everything of your own and know how to install a drip irrigation system practically, then the following is your estimated cost per acre- 

  • Main Control valve cost- $200 to $220 
  • Water filter cost- $100
  • Main supply pipes cost- $550 to $650 
  • Secondary control valves- $280 to $330
  • Secondary pipeline- $250 to $300 
  • PVC tubes cost- $100
  • Drippers cost- $50 
  • Basic tools- $200
  • Water motor- $300
  • Water tank- $500  
  • Labor cost- $600 to $800 

Total cost- $3,030 to $3,450 

If you are hiring a company to install drip irrigation then it will increase your cost up to $500. The total estimated cost will be $3,500 to $4,000.

Maintenance cost 

Maintenance cost is very ordinary in drip irrigation. In a year, you don't need to spend too much on maintenance. But if your control valve or water filter doesn't work properly, then you have to change it and it will increase your maintenance cost. 

  • General maintenance cost per year- $200
  • Added maintenance cost- $500

Requirements to install Drip irrigation system

Although private irrigation system installation companies cost higher than usual they give you a safe and clean installed irrigation system. They don't ask for your help with it and work professionally most of the time. 

If you are considering installing the Drip irrigation system yourself, then you should be careful and accurate with the requirements. Maybe you can save money from here but still, there are many challenges in it. Let's understand what are the requirements to install a drip irrigation system on one-acre land- 

Main control valve 

The main control valve controls the entire system throughout time. It holds the initial pressure of water and controls the supply. The main control valve adds at first with the main source supply. 

Water filter 

Water filters clean the visible impurities(dust, particles, etc.) from water. A water filter can be cleaned or changed after switching off the main control valve easily. It should not leak water from it and the connection should be tight enough. 

The main water supply pipeline 

This is a PVC pipeline and allows clean water to flow throughout the land boundaries(inside and outside). These pipes are responsible for the further supply of water from the source. 

Secondary control valves 

Secondary control valves control sectional areas in the land. This control valve installation depends on the demand and requirements in the area. 

But in almost every case, we add these valves in the main joints of the main supply line. 

Secondary pipes

Secondary pipes divert the main supply line irrigation water to the pipe tubes and drippers. These pipes work as a bridge between drippers and the main supply. 

Most of the time, we add secondary control valves to the joint of the main supply line and the second supply line. 

Drippers or nozzles 

In a drip irrigation system, drippers add in the final water tube that covers single or multiple plants. It remains stable in the final supply tube and allows irrigation to a particular plant. 

PVC tubes 

These pipes are flexible and can be twisted in possible shapes. These pipes fix around a plant. Every pipe tube contains several holes in it for drippers. 

Other edges of these tubes connect with the main supply pipeline through the secondary pipeline. 

Binding glue 

Binding glue help to bind the PVC pipes with the sockets, elbows, and other pipes.

Drip irrigation installation guide 

Following are necessary steps to take before and during the installation of drip irrigation in your one-acre land- 

Step 1- Make a sample mapping of the entire area. Draw a map for the perimeter of every side(including inner columns of land). This will give you an idea of how much material you need to install drip irrigation.

Step 2- You have to mark multiple control valves in the joints of the main pipeline. Apart from multiple main pipe control valves, you have to install a permanent control valve in the entire irrigation system to control the entire water supply. 

Step 3- Maybe digging is not allowed in your area, so ask for permission from your local authorities first. 

Step 4- Your digging should not be too deep or too light for the main pipeline, otherwise, it will create trouble for you at the time of maintenance. 

Step 5- The water filter should not be too small otherwise it can create extra pressure on the control valve. 

Step 6- Keep your joints visible in the soil to be careful from plowing and heavy machines.

The Major downside to the drip irrigation system 

Although drip irrigation system has multiple magnificent benefits like saving irrigation water, precision farming, etc. With some major advantages, the drip irrigation system has a downside too. 

Although, subsurface drip irrigation is a solution for this still over-ground drip irrigation has some cons. The following are some drawbacks of drip irrigation systems- 

Expensive installation

Too expensive installation than a flow irrigation system. In bigger lands, it increases the installation cost very high. Even on an acre of land, its installation time is not too short. 

Sometimes, drip irrigation system installation costs almost half of the profit on crops per acre. 

Less life in hot regions

The overground drip irrigation system is helpful though but in hot regions, intense sunlight can decrease the life of the pipes. 

Hot temperatures, less humidity, and intense sunlight impact the material of pipes directly. Hence, it increases your maintenance cost and replaces headaches. 

Clogging 

In absence of a water filter, clogging become a major problem. With dust in the water, visible particles, stones, and other things can choke the main source line. 

Most of the time, drippers get choked and the system gets clogged. 

It also disturbs the equal moisture distribution in the land. 

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