Metadata
Periodic inspection and maintenance is
recommended to keep drain tiles functioning
in the long-term. Well-functioning drain tiles may be
an important tool to help farmers to adapt to climate
change. When performance is reduced, cleaning of
tiles by flushing may be an effective way to remove
sediment or iron ochre buildups, thereby restoring
effectiveness and extending their lifespan. Best carried
out in the fall or spring, when water levels are
adequate in ditches for pumping and no activity is
occurring on the field, drain cleaning can range in cost
from $50/acre (at 60 ft spacing) to $200/acre (at 15 ft
spacing). While tile cleaning may be a recommended
practice, in a recent survey of farmers in Delta, BC, it
was clear that they were uncertain about the actual
benefits. To address this uncertainty a research project
was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of tile drainage
cleaning in blueberry and vegetable crop fields across
Delta, British Columbia. Tiles were cleaned in a
section of 10 fields in the winter/spring of
2016/2017and the cleaned/un-cleaned monitored for
1-1.5 years.
recommended to keep drain tiles functioning
in the long-term. Well-functioning drain tiles may be
an important tool to help farmers to adapt to climate
change. When performance is reduced, cleaning of
tiles by flushing may be an effective way to remove
sediment or iron ochre buildups, thereby restoring
effectiveness and extending their lifespan. Best carried
out in the fall or spring, when water levels are
adequate in ditches for pumping and no activity is
occurring on the field, drain cleaning can range in cost
from $50/acre (at 60 ft spacing) to $200/acre (at 15 ft
spacing). While tile cleaning may be a recommended
practice, in a recent survey of farmers in Delta, BC, it
was clear that they were uncertain about the actual
benefits. To address this uncertainty a research project
was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of tile drainage
cleaning in blueberry and vegetable crop fields across
Delta, British Columbia. Tiles were cleaned in a
section of 10 fields in the winter/spring of
2016/2017and the cleaned/un-cleaned monitored for
1-1.5 years.
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