Pasture Pipeline Design

 
 
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 Designing a pipeline system | Design steps

As pasture systems become more intensively managed, producers are considering piping water directly to paddocks. These pipelines are typically small diameter polyethylene (PE) pipes that are buried about 12 inches below the soil surface. They are only used in the summer and must be drained and blown out with an air compressor in the fall.

Pasture pipelines can be easily placed underground with a farm tractor and three-point hitch type of plough. The following section provides the information needed to design a basic system.

Designing a Pipeline System

Note: Before designing the system or doing any type of excavation, telephone Alberta 1st Call 1-800-242-3447 for buried line locations.

Consider the following factors before designing your pipeline system.

  1. Number of livestock that will be using the water.
  2. Expected peak water consumption per animal. See Table 1 - Peak water use.
  3. Water pumping or drinking time required per day.
  4. Pump and well capacity.
  5. Distance to the farthest watering point.
  6. Vertical lift from the pressure tank to the watering point.
  7. Operating pressure at the pressure tank.
  8. Friction loss in the pipeline. See Table 2.
  9. Float valve pressure requirements. This value will vary with valve design and size.
  10. Future expansion of the water system for more cattle or longer pipelines.
    Table 1 - Peak water use
    Cow/calf pair15 gal./day
    Yearlings10 gal./day

    Design Steps

    (unless otherwise specified, all gallons are in Imperial gallons)

    Step 1. Calculate peak daily livestock water use
    This number is determined by multiplying the number of livestock by the peak gallons per head per day. Here is an example using Table 1 as a guide:

    80 cows (with calves) x 15 gal./cow/day=1200 gal./day

    Step 2. Calculate required flow rate
    The required flow rate is determined by taking the daily water use and dividing it by the number of minutes of pumping time required per day.

    1200 gal. per day ÷ 240 min. = 5.0 gal./min.

    If the drinking trough will hold at least 50 per cent of the total daily requirement, the pumping time used in this calculation can be as much as 24 hours (1440 min). If a small tank is used, plan for a minimum of 4 hours (240 min). If the paddocks are small and the cattle will wander back and forth to water a few at a time, you can probably design for up to 12 hours (720 min). If the fields are large and the cattle tend to water as a group, plan for as large a tank as practical and a 4 to 6 hour drinking time.

    Step 3. Compare requirements with capacity
    Compare the gallons per minute required with the capacities of your pump and/or well. If the flow is not adequate, you will have to consider a larger water trough, larger pump, additional well or fewer animals. Alternatively, there may be days when cattle will have to wait longer for water.

    Step 4. Determine pressure required by float valve
    A float valve designed for large flow rates can require as little as 5 psi to operate. However, in the same situation, a float valve with a small opening or orifice designed for low flow rates can require over 20 psi. Choose a float valve and establish the pressure to get the expected flow through the float valve.

    For this example, assume 20 psi.

    Step 5. Calculate friction losses in the pipeline
    Friction loss is determined by taking the furthest pipeline distance to the watering point, dividing it by 100, then multiplying it by the friction loss value in Table 2 - Friction loss for PE pipe. The PE pipe size indicates inside diameter. For this example, assume 1 in. pipe, which has a friction loss of 1.06 psi per 100 ft. of pipe at a flow of 5.0 gal./min.

    (2600 ft. ÷ 100) x 1.06 psi = 27.6 psi

    Table 2. Friction loss for PE pipe
    Friction Loss - Polyethylene (PE)
     
    Pressure loss from friction in PSI per 100 ft. of pipe Nominal size (inside diameter) in inches
    Flow US gal./min.
    Flow Imperial gal./min.
    Flow Metric Litres/min.
    1/2 in.
    3/4 in.
    1 in.
    1 1/4 in.
    1 1/2 in.
    2 in.
    1
    0.8
    3.8
    0.49
    0.12
    0.04
    0.01
     
     
    2
    1.7
    7.6
    1.76
    0.45
    0.14
    0.02
     
     
    3
    2.5
    11.3
    3.73
    0.95
    0.29
    0.08
    0.04
    0.01
    4
    3.3
    15.1
    6.35
    1.62
    0.50
    0.13
    0.06
    0.02
    5
    4.2
    18.9
     
    2.44
    0.76
    0.20
    0.09
    0.03
    6
    5.0
    22.7
     
    3.43
    1.06
    0.28
    0.13
    0.04
    7
    5.8
    26.5
     
    4.56
    1.41
    0.37
    0.18
    0.05
    8
    6.7
    30.2
     
    5.84
    1.80
    0.47
    0.22
    0.07
    9
    7.5
    34.0
     
     
    2.24
    0.59
    0.28
    0.08
    10
    8.3
    37.8
     
     
    2.73
    0.72
    0.34
    0.10
    11
    9.2
    41.6
     
     
    3.27
    0.86
    0.41
    0.12
    12
    10.0
    45.4
     
     
    3.82
    1.01
    0.48
    0.14
    14
    11.7
    52.9
     
     
     
    1.34
    0.63
    0.19
    16
    13.3
    60.5
     
     
     
    1.71
    0.81
    0.24
    18
    15.0
    68.0
     
     
     
    2.13
    1.01
    0.30
    20
    16.7
    75.6
     
     
     
    2.59
    1.22
    0.36
    22
    18.3
    83.2
     
     
     
    3.09
    1.46
    0.43
    24
    20.0
    90.7
     
     
     
     
    1.72
    0.51
    26
    21.7
    98.3
     
     
     
     
    1.99
    0.59
    28
    23.3
    105.8
     
     
     
     
    2.28
    0.68
    30
    25.0
    113.4
     
     
     
     
    2.59
    0.77
    35
    29.2
    132.3
     
     
     
     
     
    1.02
    40
    33.3
    151.2
     
     
     
     
     
    1.31
    45
    37.5
    170.1
     
     
     
     
     
    1.63
    50
    41.7
    189.0
     
     
     
     
     
    1.98

    Step 6. Pressure required for lift
    Calculate the pressure required to lift the water from the pressure tank to the trough. To lift water 1 ft. takes 0.433 psi.
    25 ft. of lift x 0.433 psi per ft. of lift = 10.8 psi.

    Step 7. Total pressure required
    The total pressure required is determined by taking the pressure required at the float valve and adding it to the pressure lost to friction loss and the pressure required to overcome the vertical lift.
    20 psi + 27.6 psi + 10.8 psi = 58.4 psi.

    If the total pressure (58.4 psi) required is too great, increase the pipe size and recalculate from Step 5. Typical plastic pipe has a maximum pressure rating of 75 psi, and many pressure systems are only set to deliver up to 60 psi.

    To aid you in selecting appropriate pipe sizes for your system, you will find the approximate delivery for PE pipe at varying distance and pressure provided in Table 3 - Approximate water delivery through polyethylene (PE) pipe.

    Table 3. Approximate water delivery through polyethylene (PE) pipe
    Approximate Delivery from 1" PE Pipe in Imperial Gallons per Minute (g.p.m.)
    Length
    Pipe Pressure in lb. Per sq.in. (p.s.i.)
     
    10
    20
    30
    40
    50
    60
    70
    100 feet
    16.3
    23.9
    29.8
    34.9
    39.4
    43.6
    47.4
    500 feet
    6.5
    9.6
    12.2
    14.3
    16.3
    18.0
    19.6
    1000 feet
    4.4
    6.5
    8.2
    9.6
    10.9
    12.2
    13.3
    3000 feet
    2.4
    3.5
    4.4
    5.2
    5.8
    6.5
    7.1
    1 miles
    1.7
    2.5
    3.2
    3.7
    4.2
    4.7
    5.1
    2 miles
    1.1
    1.7
    2.1
    2.5
    2.9
    3.2
    3.5
    * Flow rates below 10 g.p.m. are recommended for most applications
    Approximate Delivery from 1.25" PE Pipe in Imperial Gallons per Minute (g.p.m.)
    Length
    Pipe Pressure in lb. Per sq.in. (p.s.i.)
     
    10
    20
    30
    40
    50
    60
    70
    100 feet
    29.0
    42.6
    53.3
    62.5
    70.6
    78.0
    84.9
    500 feet
    11.8
    17.4
    21.8
    25.6
    29.0
    32.1
    34.9
    1000 feet
    8.0
    11.8
    14.9
    17.4
    19.7
    21.8
    23.8
    3000 feet
    4.3
    6.4
    8.0
    9.5
    10.7
    11.8
    12.9
    1 miles
    3.1
    4.7
    5.9
    6.9
    7.8
    8.6
    9.4
    2 miles
    2.1
    3.1
    3.9
    4.7
    5.3
    5.9
    6.4
    * Flow rates below 18.3 g.p.m. are recommended for most applications
    Approximate Delivery from 1.5" PE Pipe in Imperial Gallons per Minute (g.p.m.)
    Length
    Pipe Pressure in lb. Per sq.in. (p.s.i.)
     
    10
    20
    30
    40
    50
    60
    70
    100 feet
    46.6
    68.7
    86.1
    100.9
    114.2
    126.3
    137.3
    500 feet
    19.1
    28.0
    35.0
    41.1
    46.6
    51.7
    56.4
    1000 feet
    13.1
    19.1
    23.8
    28.0
    31.7
    35.0
    38.2
    3000 feet
    7.1
    10.5
    13.1
    15.3
    17.3
    19.1
    20.8
    1 miles
    5.2
    7.7
    9.6
    11.2
    12.7
    14.0
    15.3
    2 miles
    3.5
    5.2
    6.5
    7.7
    8.7
    9.6
    10.5
    * Flow rates below 25 g.p.m. are recommended for most applications
    Approximate Delivery from 2.0" PE Pipe in Imperial Gallons per Minute (g.p.m.)
    Length
    Pipe Pressure in lb. Per sq.in. (p.s.i.)
     
    10
    20
    30
    40
    50
    60
    70
    100 feet
    99.9
    147.6
    184.7
    216.2
    244.2
    269.7
    293.3
    500 feet
    40.1
    59.3
    74.9
    88.1
    99.9
    110.7
    120.7
    1000 feet
    27.5
    40.1
    50.3
    59.3
    67.5
    74.9
    81.7
    3000 feet
    15.4
    22.2
    27.5
    32.0
    36.2
    40.1
    43.7
    1 miles
    11.3
    16.5
    20.4
    23.8
    26.7
    29.4
    31.9
    2 miles
    7.7
    11.3
    14.1
    16.5
    18.5
    20.4
    22.1
    * Flow rates below 41.7 g.p.m. are recommended for most applications

    Assumptions:
    1. The PE pipe indicates the minimum inside diameter in inches to achieve these flow rates. Actual, as manufactured, inside diameter will be slightly larger however solids buildup on the inside surface can reduce the diameter and flow rates over time.
    2. Darcy-Weisbeck formula used to estimate flow rates using inside diameter indicated.
    3. Changes in flow rate due to elevation difference between water source and outlet are not included in these tables
    4. In gravity installations with significant elevation differences, other factors such as water hammer, maximum water velocities, flow restrictors, clearing of air gaps may need to be considered.
    5. Pressure in pipe should not exceed recommended maximum pressure for pipe used (i.e Series 75 pipe max. = 75 psi) Reduced pipe strength due to increased surface temperature of surface laid pipes should be accounted for.
    6. Pressure requirements in the design must account for float valve requirements. A float valve designed for large flow rates can require as little as 5 psi however a float valve with a small orifice designed for low flow rates can require over 20 psi of operating pressure.
    Step 8. Make design changes
    Assess the potential pitfalls and make appropriate design changes.
    • Always consider the potential for expanding the capacity of the system.
    • Surface laid pipes can be heated up significantly if unshaded by grass or fenceline. This situation can significantly weaken the pipe, so higher pressure rated pipe is often used, if affordable.
    • Pipe friction loss charts assume new pipe with smooth, shiny inside walls. Minerals in the water will often create a film on this inside surface. This rough film will tend to increase the friction loss over time. For this reason, it does no harm to increase the calculated friction loss by 50 per cent.
    • Extra fittings in the pipeline will increase the friction loss.
    • Air bubbles can collect in high spots in the line. These can restrict water flow unless flushed out or released at the high spots using a valve.
    • Many float valves are very restrictive to water flow. Use a valve that produces minimum back pressure.
    • Watch out for competing water uses on the same water supply. Another stock waterer or the farm house will usually provide an easier place for the water to go if it is given a choice.
    • Do not pump your well at a higher rate than it can handle.
    • Ensure the pipe supplier provides pipe with the appropriate inside diameter.
    For more information on pasture pipeline design, contact the Ag-Info Centre at 310-FARM (3276).

    Source: Agdex FS716 (C44). Revised April 2000.    		  
     
    		 
     
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    For more information about the content of this document, contact Joe Harrington.
    This document is maintained by Jennifer Rutter.
    This information published to the web on April 1, 2000.