Drip Irrigation Case Study – Follow up

Following our case study Article and Video – Drip Irrigation in the City, we received expert response from a Ranchi, India based Civil Engineer, with almost 40 years’ experience.

Based on this discussion, and feedback, this week’s article outlines possible issues that may arise with use of this technology in Residential colonies.

In Case study 1 (original Case Study -Residence A), the Balcony A in question lies adjacent to a plumbing Shaft A, containing supply water pipes to the house. Thus, the plumber can easily provide a water connection (Source for the Drip Irrigation System) from this shaft to the balcony.

However, in Case Study 2 (Alternative Scenario – Residence B), the positioning of shafts is different. The Shaft B in the house (Residence B) is placed far from the Balcony. This makes it difficult to provide a water source for the Drip System.

The Shaft C, which offers a more direct route to Balcony B, contains water supply pipes belonging to another flat (Residence C). Thus, the plumber would be unable to draw a connection from this shaft.

Solution:

Such technology could be Integrated at earlier Design stages in future Residential constructions. Thus, shaft and water supply lines could be planned accordingly, for convenience to Residents and to save Water.

We look forward to more such expert opinions, feedback,
comments. These help us move towards further Sustainable Solutions, for our evolving Built and Urban Environments.

TAG Videos | Drip Irrigation in the City

Video Source | The ꓥrchitecture Gazette

Music Source | “My Best Melody” catatau5 | Link

References / Additional Reading |

1) Alliance for Water Efficiency | https://bit.ly/2T2nynY

2) CINAGRO™ Products | https://amzn.to/2SbZdfo

‘Drip Irrigation in the City’ | A Case Study

This week we document Drip Irrigation used for balcony garden irrigation. The Case study is a 1000 sqft. flat dwelling, housing 2 aging persons. Having a large ground garden, while living in a metro city is a luxury most cannot afford. So, many people nurture beautiful balcony gardens. Often aging parents or grandparents may be living alone and looking after these spaces. They may or may not have access to domestic help for daily watering of plants. New developments are often also plagued with water shortages. Tiled balconies can become messy and slippery with pipe or bucket watering, thus posing a danger to aged people living alone.

We thus explore this technology, used in our case study, that may be able to address the above issues. It could remove unnecessary risk and make life a little more convenient for aged people.

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The Nuts and Bolts

Looking at 3 main details –

1) Origin – Tap, Tap Connector, Elbow Connector, Main Pipe

2) Route – Main Pipe, Elbow/ Tee/ Straight Connectors

3) Destination – Main Pipe, Feeder Pipe, Stake/Anchor to hold Feeder Pipes in the soil of pots, Drip Emitter

Some advanced kits also include automatic timers for scheduling the watering cycle.

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Cost

The whole kit could cost between ₹ 300 to above ₹ 7000 (around $4 – $100 depending on company, number of plants)

Pros and Cons

The Pros and Cons are based on feedback for the technology by the owners. 

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Note: The products utilized by the owners in the Case Study are by a company called CINAGRO™.  We are spreading information about the ‘adaptive’ use of this technology to solve important city issues. We however, are NOT endorsing the products/ company in question. You could search for Drip Irrigation Garden online. There are various companies that sell/ install such products.

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Hope these details help you make decisions for your homes and the homes of other aging people with similar requirements.

Have you used a similar technology in your projects? Tell us about your experience. Did you face any other issues than the ones described above?

Do you think this ‘Adaptation’ can help address Emerging city needs?

Let us know!

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Video Source: 

The ꓥrchitecture Gazette

Music Source:

“My Best Melody” catatau5 | Link

References:

1. Alliance for Water Efficiency
2. CINAGRO™ Products

What’s the ‘Zone’ Plan?

Building functions can be zoned according to ventilation strategy for effective management and energy conservation. This is seen in Akshay Urja Bhavan, New Delhi where spaces are divided into zones according to setpoints– Apex, Controlled and Passive. Only around 12% of the area is air-conditioned. Mist cooling systems are used for the Controlled and Passive zones¹.

Read the whole article here –

Graphic Source:

The Architecture Gazette | Sustꓥinꓥble Snippets

Data Source:

1. BEE, USAID, PACE-D. Case Studies – Akshay Urja Bhawan. NZEB. http://www.nzeb.in/case-studies/detailed-case-studies-2/akshay-urja-bhawan-case-study/.

Passively Battling 50oC!

A 16 km (once the campus is completed) tunnel network of Air Earth tunnels, will be running 4 m below the ground in NIIT University, Neemrana Campus. Surface temperature and seasonal variations do not penetrate below this depth, keeping air temperature constant throughout the year. Fans will pull cool air through these tunnels. This would then be taken through precipitators to eliminate dust and would be supplied to the building through ducts. The result! – Pleasant 25^oC temperatures indoors, without the use of air-conditioning, when temperatures outside are nearing 50^oC¹.

Read the whole article here –

Graphic Source:

The Architecture Gazette | Sustꓥinꓥble Snippets

Data Source:

1. Bhandari P. Let buildings breathe. Times of India Jaipur. https://bit.ly/2MH0kzV. Published 2009.