Getting the most out of irrigation and water treatment systems depends on the balance between capacity and demand. Understanding a greenhouse’s water requirements per day and per minute is essential for water use efficiency. This information can have a great influence on the long-term success of a growing operation.
Along with usage, the potential to collect and recycle water demands consideration.
“Water reuse needs to be at the top of everyone’s list when they are thinking about building or retrofitting,” says Jared Babik, national project sales manager for Dramm. “Demand for water is only increasing. Growers need to be asking how they can maximize their water use through collection, recirculation and proper treatment.”
Conversations around water capacity and quality should drive decisions around the storage and treatment required to satisfy daily demand now and in the future.
The Proactive vs. Reactive Approach
The value of the crop, facility size, and growing method all affect whether growers invest in efficient infrastructure. But Babik argues that it’s not just about the equipment growers install—it’s also about how they use what they already have.
“Understanding how the equipment works is a great way to create efficiency within any operation,” he explains. “Knowing how to use automated equipment simply in terms of irrigation makes a big difference.”
Babik recalls recommending automated equipment for growers using hoop houses, though they often insist on going with manual alternatives. Many growers fear relying on automated equipment, though it would streamline operations and improve efficiency immensely.
“I don’t know one grower that hasn’t opened a manual valve and forgotten to turn it off because they were fearful about relying on automation,” he says. “Educating them on the security automation can provide can be a difficult conversation, but it’s important to have it.”
Having these conversations becomes even more important as smaller operations expand. Once a grower understands that they’re still in control of their operation—they just don’t have to be present to water their plants—they can shift their focus to other tasks that require their attention. This provides some relief for the staff and helps conserve their water supply.
Identifying a Grower’s Irrigation Needs
Whether a grower is building a new greenhouse, retrofitting an existing one, or trying to use their equipment more efficiently, they need to understand the numbers first.
Dramm determines how much water growers use by walking their operation in person.
Babik walks the greenhouse, noting how growers water their plants. He counts the number of hoses, valves, or booms they use, and determines the flow rate of each piece of equipment.
“I add up these numbers in my head in terms of flow rate, and I’ll figure out whether that has exceeded what the pipe can supply,” he says. “Then, I’ll find a solution. If they want to grow what they’re currently growing in their greenhouse with the right amount of water, I’ll give them their options.”
If growers understand the water demands of their greenhouse, they can have a productive conversation about how much water is required per day and per minute to grow a healthy crop.
“It comes down to understanding the data and asking what’s missing,” Babik explains. “They need to ask themselves if they’re watering enough, don’t have enough water treatment, or if their water is at the right temperature.”
It’s the irrigation integrator’s job to act as a consultant, identify the bottlenecks in a greenhouse’s water system, and offer solutions.
Connecting Efficiency and Sustainability
When growers want to grow at scale, they typically try to reinvent the wheel by installing new, state-of-the-art equipment in their greenhouse. In some respects, Babik says, pushing new technology to the forefront makes sense.
But for growers just starting out and trying to get their operation off the ground? Sticking with a proven irrigation method is the smartest place to start.
“The cost of these facilities is exorbitant, so it’s important for growers to spend their capital in the right place,” Babik says. “Sustainable, high-quality irrigation systems have already been designed. They do work, they last, and they are efficient.”
Growers already have access to efficient irrigation systems—they just need to know where to look and what questions to ask. This ultimately comes down to paying close attention to the equipment they install in their facilities.
“Before growers purchase a piece of equipment, the company that created it should be able to explain what role it plays, its pros and cons, and the benefits it offers,” Babik says. “Manufacturers aren’t growers.”
Understanding how these systems work instead of taking the company’s word about sustainability and efficiency could make a meaningful difference for water use.
Efficient water use and sustainable greenhouse operations go hand in hand. Growers who understand their water demands, invest in proven systems, and implement automation where it makes sense are already doing the work that water reuse demands.
The technology exists and the systems are proven. Growers just need to be proactive about efficiency and ask the right questions to ensure they invest their capital in the right place.
Partners like LLK Greenhouse Solutions and Dramm offer technical support for growers navigating new builds, retrofits, and repairs. Their advice is a valuable resource when project decisions get more complicated and costly.
