Many farms/orchards still use wasteful sand/media filters as the main form of filtration upstream of drip and other irrigation systems. When backwashing, Forsta self-cleaning screen filters use, on average, less than 3% of the volume of water required to backwash a comparable sand media system. Even when considering an increased backwash frequency with screen filters, Forsta customers report that water savings are substantial.

An agricultural operation that combines efficient self-cleaning screen filtration with a drip irrigation/spray nozzle system is set-up for long-term water savings and success in crop yields. Forsta self-cleaning filters protect drip tubing and nozzles from debris buildup which can reduce energy efficiency. As irrigation piping and drip tubing/spary nozzle orifices become smaller due to buildup it takes more energy to pump water through them. Clogged orifices can cause reduced water delivery to plants, causing damage to the plant and reducing yield.

Forsta’s self-cleaning systems protect drip tubing and spray nozzles with 100-200 micron screens that keep fine sand, silt and other particles from entering the system. By utilizing available system pressure for cleaning (min. 35psi), Forsta self-cleaning filters consume a minimal amount of energy. Where system pressure is lower (min 15psi) Forsta offers motor-driven filters.

Consistent and effiecnt irrigation is particularly important for California avocado groves, where rainfall is low. Lack of water can reduce yields, and since irrigation can have the highest cost of production – it needs to be used efficiently.

Irrigating Avocados information from the California Avocado Commission,
https://www.californiaavocadogrowers.com/sites/default/files/documents/Irrigating-Avocados-Fact-Sheet.pdf