The water is placed in a small furrow either on the flat ground or on the top of the ridge. The width of irrigated soil is approximately 6" (approx. 15cm) wide. With seedling germination or indeed in the growth of a young seedling it is only the immediate environment, not in the ground between the rows that requires watering. The water requirement of the Water Conservation Unit is so low as the inter-row is not watered at all.

As the crop increases in size, in say the case of maize, the system can still be used for subsequent irrigation until the crop has reached waist high. It is assumed that the main irrigating rains of the season will arrive approximately six weeks after initial planting. The unit is not a full scale irrigating system for mature crops. Rather an establishment system to extend the growing season and greatly increase the yields.

It is an extremely simple system, versatile and adaptable and over the years we have been constantly amazed at the ingenuity of the individual farmers in utilising the unit.




In particular the Water Conservation Unit is suitable for cotton seed germination in heavy soil. The capping problem can be eliminated by a simple planting and mulching procedure, utilising the dry inter row soil to cover the wetted line 12 hours after the liquid water has penetrated. Because the soil in the inter-row is not watered at all, weeds will not germinate. This allows the crop to achieve a flying start in their competition with the weeds.



The Water Conservation Unit was developed in 1969. Since that time millions of acres of crops have been irrigated using this unit. Many farmers have commented that they are still on the land and farming as a direct result of the increased yields and lower costs of this unit.

The original aim of the unit was to reduce the amount of water and power, required to irrigate large areas of cotton and maize. This was achieved with the Water Conservation Unit using a quarter of the water of a traditional sprinkler system and at a much lower capital cost.

With a low operating pressure of 1.5 Bar at the hydrant control elbow, this constitutes a saving of over half the energy of a normal sprinkler sprayline of say 3.5 Bar.

Suitable for irrigating most row crops including cotton, maize, tobacco, groundnuts, paprika, tomatoes and potatoes and can aid the establishment of tree plantations.

Work has been undertaken to establish large areas of young Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) trees using this unit and has proved highly effective.

The Water Conservation Unit is ideal for the establishment of grass cover on arid area. Specific work has been undertaken on airport runways and surrounds.



The accurate placement of water reduces runoff and limits erosion directly. Indirectly, The Water Conservation Unit is the ideal irrigating system for erosion control methods. It aids the establishment of erosion control and prevention plants such as Vetiver Grass (vetiveria zizaniodes), restricting soil movement.

The Water Conservation Unit is suitable for the following crops, at particular development stages:

The unit offers a cost effective solution to early crop development and provides high water savings for small capital outlay. Reduces herbicide use by establishing the crops before the rains and supplementing irrigation during breaks in the rains. One unit provides coverage for up to 20 hectares. with equal distribution of water over the entire 180 metre unit length. Longer lengths may be accommodated without loss of accuracy. Designed to allow ease of assembly and operation.

The unit includes a 180 metre long baffle line, with baffle line jets spaced at 300mm intervals.