With irrigation season fast approaching, the WaterForce team has been busy in the workshop, fabricating and assembling electric irrigation valve stations for local horticultural operations.
These valve assemblies play an important role in modern irrigation systems, helping growers control where, when and how much water is applied.
From individual electric valves through to complete valve stations, there's plenty of work happening behind the scenes to make sure systems are ready when the water is needed.
Why Are Electric Irrigation Valves Important?
Electric irrigation valves allow water flow to be controlled automatically, opening and closing irrigation zones based on programmed schedules or signals from an irrigation controller. They help growers manage irrigation timing, reduce manual operation and apply water where it's needed. When correctly designed and installed, they can also improve the reliability and efficiency of an irrigation system.
For horticultural blocks, where different crops or growing areas can have different watering requirements, having reliable control over each irrigation zone is particularly valuable.
Building Valve Stations for Local Growers
Our Hastings workshop has been busy assembling a range of irrigation valve systems, including Hunter electric valves and Eliptix valve assemblies.
Each installation has its own requirements, depending on the water source, operating pressure, flow rates and irrigation layout.
Our team works with a range of valve configurations, from straightforward electric irrigation valves through to larger, more specialised control assemblies.
These can include:
- Electric irrigation valves: Providing automatic on/off control for individual irrigation zones.
- Valve stations: Grouping valves and associated fittings into practical assemblies for installation and maintenance.
- Hydraulically operated control valves: Used where larger flows, pressure management or more specialised control are required.
- Dust suppression valves: Providing controlled water delivery for industrial and commercial dust management systems.
Preparing these assemblies in the workshop allows our team to complete much of the fabrication and fitting work before the equipment heads to site.
Better Control of Water and Irrigation Time
For growers, managing water efficiently is an important part of running a productive operation.
Electric valve stations can be connected to irrigation controllers, allowing different areas of a property to be watered at scheduled times without manually opening and closing valves.
This offers several practical advantages:
- Water management: Control when and where water is applied across different irrigation zones.
- Time savings: Reduce the need for staff to manually operate valves around the property.
- Flexible scheduling: Adjust irrigation programmes to suit changing seasonal and crop requirements.
- System reliability: Use correctly specified valves and control components suited to the application.
- Easier operation: Manage multiple irrigation zones through a central control system.
With options such as Hunter irrigation controllers and Hydrawise technology, growers can also access remote irrigation management and monitoring, depending on their system configuration.
Ready for the Irrigation Season?
A reliable irrigation system starts with good design and the right equipment.
Whether it's a new horticultural development, an upgrade to an existing irrigation system or a specialised water control application, our team can help with valve selection, fabrication, automation and installation.
It's good to see the Hastings workshop busy preparing these systems ahead of another irrigation season.
Need electric irrigation valves or a custom valve station for your property?
Get in touch with your local WaterForce team on 0800 436 723 or visit www.waterforce.co.nz to discuss your requirements.
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