So close I can almost taste it!

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So close I can almost taste it! was Originally Posted on April 16, 2009 by

I packed some coffee and was taking it to the post office when I came upon the irrigation guys working up at the top tanks. They had said they would be back Saturday, so I had not determined which valve I would use. It’s a long story and involves the number of wires vrs the number of wires and how I can easily control all the zones and valves. They hooked up all my upper tanks, installed the 2 valves and covered pipes up there. Some wiring needs to be made permanent and one part of the main water line needs to be trenched, but those are fairly minor issues.

With one exception, this completes the water collection and storage part of my project!

It is in test mode, but I can:

1) Pump water from the bottom tank to fill the top tanks.

2) Pump water from the bottom tanks to irrigate the top 2 acres of the farm.

3) Drain the top three tanks to irrigate the bottom 3 acres.

4) Drain the top tree tanks to fill the bottom tank (if necessary).

The final step to be able to complete the above was the stretching of the 2 inch main line across the driveway I am using to get to the house. Without a trench and lots of sand to buffer the pipe, I won’t be driving down that way now.

I have a second driveway cut through on the far side of the trench, but cannot use that one yet for 2 reasons. The first is I have to trench the main part of the pipe so I can cross it down by the house, and secondly, there are giant rocks that came out of the trench and driving over them is not recommended!

I still cannot capture rainwater which falls on the house and can only use what water has fallen on the top of the 4 tanks and dripped through the shade cloth. I also have to finish attaching all the valves to the control wires (about an hours work).

Since I have water in the top tanks, I can now drain that into the bottom tank and use that bottom one to irrigate the top 2 acres under pressure. The top acres are punched and ready for coffee trees. I have coffee trees on property just waiting to be planted.

Today I also picked up some fertilizer and lime.

I guess that means that I can start planting trees… and irrigate them.. and watch them grow…

Finally!