Above-ground tank for irrigation water?

Posted by Cathy Wise on July 13, 2010 at 3:47pm
Hi All,

Has anyone heard of, or used, plastic above-ground water tanks for irrigation?

Our school/community garden doesn't have water at the site. Students are pulling a garden hose across the street from the school to water. We are looking for alternatives--however hooking up to City of Phoenix water is cost prohibitive. The above-ground option was suggested. The vessel could be filled at intervals with hose water. Students could hook up a hose to the tank and water right from it.

The garden community discussed using flood irrigation, however the water isn't delivered frequently enough, brings weeds etc and seems extremely difficult to control.

Thoughts or suggestions? PS: No, we can't move the garden.

Thanks for your help!

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Replies

  • Brian Smith October 11, 2011 at 3:30pm

    I've seen rain catchment tanks formed out of culvert pipes set vertically on a small concrete pad. 

    Also, an inexpensive, temporary tank can be made out of hog fence and plastic.  Make circle with the fencing (double layer), line with cardboard and then 3 or 4 mil plastic.  Water pressure will keep everything in place.  Fish farmers in Mississippi use them as throwaway tanks for growing fish for 18 months.

  • alley yerger-hendricks July 28, 2011 at 12:03pm

    Hi Cathy,

    You can also try the non-profit organization Watershed Management Group at www.watershedmg.org. They are starting to offer classes for water harvesting, green infrastructure, schoolyard habitats amongst others, in the Phoenix valley. They also have grants for water harvesting devices. I put in the grant for Montessori Academy charter school in Paradise Valley and we put a rain tank in this spring. We hope to paint it with the kids this fall. Any artists out there interested in designing a watershed theme and working with the teachers and kids to paint it?

    Alley

    5-23-2010 026.JPG

  • Jeff Prince July 21, 2010 at 9:23am
    Yes, using an above ground tank as you describe is definately a possibility. Automating and pressurizing them is also a possibility. I have designed/installed a few such systems over the years, including a couple after the Rodeo-Chediski fire. While I haven't seen off the shelf solutions, it is possible to assemble a system with common irrigaiton components. Feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance.
    • Cathy Wise > Jeff Prince July 26, 2010 at 3:14pm
      Hi Jeff,

      Thanks for your reply! Do you have any idea how large of a tank we would need? Our garden is the size of a small city lot (9,517 sq feet) and contains 9 raised beds at present. We'd like to eventually grow to 30 beds (each 8x 5) We would LOVE your help!!
    • Jeff Prince > Cathy Wise July 26, 2010 at 3:32pm
      The tank size can be calculated by figuring out the daily water demand in gallons and then multiplying that by the number of days you would like to go without refilling the tank(s). 10,000 s.f. of garden will take a lot of water, and you might be best served with multiple small systems that can be implemented over time as budget allows. This has the added benefit of being able to take some beds offline if they are not planted for a season. Gravity fed systems are the simplest way to go. Automated control with pumps or pressurized systems offer the greatest performance, but at a higher price. Feel free to email me ( jeff at ecocoutureaz.com ) if you would like to discuss your project in detail.
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