The first step in drip irrigation system installation, prior to any action should be verification and comparison of irrigation plan to the actual field, crops and water source geometrical and topographic dimensions and quantities. Good practice is to count trees or to sum all sub plots areas. Try to pick at least 4 topographical points in the field to compare the height to that of point with the same point on the plan.
Start marking all the pipe lines and intersections, according to the updated drip irrigation project plan*. That step should be done by the project manager itself, sometimes with the help of a professional surveyor. The best way is to marc the end points of each line with wood stakes, using a rope to spread lime powder along the lines with the aid of a rope. In every intersection it is recommended to stick a bigger stake with the intersection number and ditch depthand width dimensions.
* A good practice in large irrigation systems installations is to attach the plan to plywood and to cover it with plastic sheet (mulch), that way you will always have it ready to use in the field itself.
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1. Marking pipe lines and intersections
