Water Softening for Agriculture

Water hardness in agriculture presents varied issues at different stages of the irrigation and fertilization process.

Calcium Carbonate Buildup in Drip Emitters

• The small orifice size of drip emitters – typically between 0.2 and 2.0 mm – leads to a high likelihood of calcium carbonate buildup. Even moderate levels of hardness can cause variable emitter output across the field, while conventional flushing cycles are generally unable to dissolve carbonate scale already adhered to internal surfaces.

Bicarbonate and Irrigation Water pH

• Bicarbonate ions in hard water can also raise irrigation water pH above the optimal range for plant-available iron, manganese, zinc, and boron. Consequently, crops may display visible micronutrient deficiency symptoms even when soil testing confirms the nutrients are present.

Correcting emitter flow consistency will not resolve micronutrient absorption failure, and neither problem can be addressed by a single facility-wide treatment approach.

Water Hardness Demands the Expertise of Flier’s Professional Services Engineers

Whether the operation relies on municipal water or a private well, irrigation requirements can vary substantially between traditional greenhouses and controlled environment agriculture systems.

Each application may experience different levels of hardness, which is why treatment processes are rarely identical from one site to another. At Flier’s Quality Water Systems, we understand this; our engineers conduct a personalized assessment prior to recommending water softening for agriculture.

Factors We Consider

We consider the following:

• Bicarbonate/alkalinity levels
• Seasonal and climate-related variations
• Peak and average water demand (gallons per minute), etc

Ongoing Service and Maintenance Support

After the installation, we provide ongoing service & maintenance support to sustain operational integrity.

Need help evaluating hardness, alkalinity, or irrigation water quality for your agriculture operation? Contact Flier’s to discuss a water softening system review.

FAQs

1. Can You Explain to Me How Hardness in Irrigation Water Affects Phosphate Fertilizer Programs?

When phosphate fertilizers are applied to crops through irrigation water, the calcium ions in the hard water can react with the PO₄ compounds to form calcium phosphate. Calcium phosphate is insoluble; it settles out of the solution inside the irrigation line before reaching the plant root zone. If the irrigation water is softened before the fertigation injection point – where the fertilizer solution is introduced into the irrigation water – the concentration of calcium ions that would otherwise react with the phosphorus can be minimized, helping keep more of the fertilizer in a soluble and plant-available form within the system.

2. What Is the Hardness Level at Which Emitter Performance Begins to Decrease?

The hardness level at which there’s concern for calcium carbonate scaling is 150 mg/L (8.8 GPG). Operational issues associated with emitter scaling become more pronounced as water temperature rises and as irrigation cycle duration increases. This compromises discharge uniformity across the entire irrigation zone.

3. Will the Relationship Between Sodium and Calcium or Magnesium Alter the Soil Structure?

Yes, the balance between the sodium and calcium/magnesium in irrigation water – commonly evaluated using the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) – can markedly influence the soil structure over time. When determining whether total, partial, or blended softening is the most appropriate treatment strategy, Flier’s examines SAR levels alongside measured soil conditions to find the treatment approach least likely to compromise long-term permeability.