Abstract:
A method for achieving the optimum pH of the water used for irrigation, comprising passing water through a water meter or a pH monitor, which transmits a signal based on the volume of flow of the water or the pH of the water, a pump which receives a signal from the water meter or pH monitor and injects a predetermined amount of an acidic compound into the irrigation water based upon the volume of flow of the water or the pH of the water.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention comprises a method for monitoring and controlling the irrigation of residential, commercial and agricultural properties. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Due to the high cost of water and due to an ever dwindling supply of water, it would be beneficial to control the amount of water needed to water the landscaping for residential, commercial and agricultural fields. It would also be beneficial to control certain elements in the soil to achieve the maximum irrigation with the least amount of water. 
         [0003]    The soil in many geographical areas is very alkaline. This is due to the presence of lime in the soil. Often carbonates and bicarbonates in the soil attach to calcium, creating an impermeable surface, where the water simply flows over the top and is not absorbed into the ground. A method is needed to increase the permeability of the soil. The more permeable the soil, the less water it takes to feed the vegetation. These lime, carbonate and bicarbonate compounds, and the like, are quite alkaline and need the presence of a certain amount of an acid to offset their negative effect. 
         [0004]    Almost all irrigation water contains dissolved salts. Some are beneficial, such as calcium, magnesium, sulfate, and nitrate. Others, such as sodium, chloride, and boron are potentially toxic salt ingredients that must be carefully managed or avoided if possible. The third group, which interacts with and is usually present with the above salts, consists of carbonates, bicarbonates, and silicates. 
         [0005]    The presence of these salts in both irrigation water and soil can cause destruction of soil structure and precipitation of insoluble salts in irrigation equipment. Often the most troublesome of the salt components found in or added to irrigation water is the carbonate-bicarbonate complex and phosphates and their resulting precipitates. 
         [0006]    Conversely, low salt irrigation sources may also pose problems because the absence of salts such as calcium can also cause soils to seal. For these reasons, it is beneficial for surface and sprinkler irrigation water to be treated to lower the pH and reduce the problems associated with water containing bicarbonates. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This invention provides a method to improve the water quality of residential or commercial landscaping, or an agricultural farm, where many acres of land are being farmed. 
         [0008]    The inventive method for residential and commercial landscaping, such as a private home with a garden, lawn or other relatively small area of landscaping, comprises the use of a water meter with an output signal. The water meter measures the flow of water going to the landscaping. This water flow is pre-set for each area of the landscaping, as the system cycles through watering various portions of the landscaping, each area needing a different amount of water, depending upon the size of the area and nature of the vegetation growing there. 
         [0009]    The electrical output of the water meter, the signal, is sent to a variable speed chemical pump which feeds an acidic compound into the water line, providing enough acid to keep the pH of the water between 6 and 7, the ideal pH for absorption of the water into the soil. The amount of acidic compound that is needed is determined by taking samples of the water in the water line and determining the amount of chemical needed, based upon the amount of water flowing, the quality (alkalinity) of the water and the alkalinity of the soil. From this information, the amount of acidic chemical needed to reach a desired pH of between 6 and 7 is determined. The chemical pump is then set to add the correct amount of chemical to the water flowing to the landscaping system. 
         [0010]    For agricultural needs, where a much larger area is being watered, a pH meter is added to the system to continuously monitor the actual pH level of the water going to the soil so that it can be continuously adjusted. 
         [0011]    Adding an acidic compound reduces bicarbonates to avoid alkalinity, poor soil structure and low fertility. It also increases water use efficiency as a result of better infiltration through the growing season, i.e., fewer, deeper and more thorough irrigations. It also solubilizes micronutrients that are unavailable due to high soil pH, and makes them available to the turf. 
         [0012]    An acidic compound, added to irrigation water, can control destructive dissolved salts and bicarbonates that are harmful to turf. An acidic compound also destroys soil sealing alkalinity, liberates “tied-up” calcium and magnesium, eliminates induced sodium soil sealing, opens soil profile and achieves more efficient water use, that is less water used for the same result. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the watering system for a residential or commercial property; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a watering system for large agricultural use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a water main  10  which passes through a water meter  12 , which has an output signal of the flow of water. A backflow valve  14  prevents any chemical from flowing back into the water system source. 
         [0016]    An output signal  16  is sent to a chemical pump  18 . The output signal  16  tells the chemical pump  18  how much water is flowing to the irrigation system. Chemical pump  18  is a dosing pump with output control based upon testing the alkalinity of the water and the soil. Chemical dosing pump  18  is programmed to deliver the proper amount of acidic compound, based upon the alkalinity tests. 
         [0017]    A chemical storage tank  20  delivers the acidic chemical to chemical dosing pump  18  via chemical supply line  22 . Power is supplied to chemical dosing pump  18  by an electrical panel  24  in an enclosure  26  to which standard 110 volt power  28  is supplied to a 24V/110V relay  30 . 
         [0018]    Chemical is delivered to the irrigation system from chemical pump  18  through delivery line  32  to chemical injector  34  where it mixes with water in water line  36 . The water with the chemical now inserted flows to a set of automatic irrigation control valves  38  which control the delivery of the water to the landscaping. 
         [0019]    An irrigation control clock  40  with 24V power supply  42 , controls the operation of irrigation control valves  38 , which are programmed with timers to each turn on and off at predetermined times of day. Further periodic further testing is done to make sure that the proper amount of water and chemical is being fed to the irrigation system. 
         [0020]    Water meter  12  operates by transmitting a signal every preset number of gallons flowing through. The preset number of gallons may be any number of gallons programmed into water meter  12  by the user. The signal from water meter  12  is sent to chemical dosing pump  18 . Dosing pump  18  has a flow signal interpreter which reads the water meter  12  signal representing the flow of water passing through the system. Chemical dosing pump  18  adds (doses) an acidic substance to the water flow based on the volume of water flowing through. This makes the water irrigating the landscaping the optimum pH for maximizing absorption by the alkaline soil, thus making it possible to water the landscaping with the minimum amount of water required. 
         [0021]    Water meter  12  is a commercially available item sold by Daniel L. Jerman Co. and others. Chemical dosing pump  18  is manufactured by Grunfos Pumps of Olathe, Kans. Various acidic compounds may be used with chemical dosing pump  18 , such as “US 15” manufactured by Verdegaal Brothers of Hanford, Calif. “US 15” is a mixture of urea, sulfuric acid and water. Sulfuric acid alone can be used but is not recommended for residential and commercial landscaping. 
         [0022]    Tests were conducted of the system described above and it was possible to change the soil and water profile as follows: The pH of the water to be used for irrigation started at approximately 7.4 and lowered to a 6.5 pH immediately upon treatment. In a twelve month study, the ground pH started at a pH level of 7.2 and changed to between a pH of 7.1 and 6.5, in various spots in the test area site. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the system for agricultural use. Water for irrigation comes from a water source, such as well  50 . The water passes through water line  52  and through dual filters  54  and  56 . Water line  52  continues from filters  54 ,  56 , and goes underground at point  58  passing under the fields to be irrigated, where it is sprayed through any of various types of water dispensers, such as drip and/or ground or overhead sprinklers, etc. 
         [0024]    Acid storage tank  60  sitting on level pad  62 , contains an acidic compound which is added to the water flow by a variable speed acid pump  64 , to maintain a pH of between 6 and 7, for optimum absorption of the irrigation water. The acid from tank  60  passes through acid pump  64  and through acid injection line  66  to injection probe  68 , which is an injection nozzle with a one-way valve, where the acid enters water line  52 . 
         [0025]    Return line  70 , with valve  72 , takes water at valve  74  from water line  52 , downstream from acid injection probe  68 . The downstream water is passed through pH monitor  76 , where the pH is constantly measured. The downstream water that passes through pH monitor  76  is returned through back flush valve  78 , through back flush line  80  leading to a back flush reservoir (not shown). 
         [0026]    Pressure switch  82  is a safety shut-off valve, which shuts off the system if it senses no pressure, which means no water is flowing. 
         [0027]    For agricultural use, sulfuric acid or citric acid is used to acidify the irrigation water, however sulfuric acid is usually not recommended for residential and commercial irrigation systems. 
         [0028]    The pH monitoring system  76  comprises a pH sensor which measures the pH of the water, a variable speed motor to operate a pump to pull the water through the monitor and a pH monitor display, so that the pH levels can be visually be observed. The amount of acid to be added to the water line is automatically determined based on the pre-set pH level desired by the grower. The system reads the pH level and raises or lowers the acid flow in response thereto.