1. What is this item?
Canal water access involves connecting to an existing canal or irrigation system to draw water for agriculture use. This is particularly useful in areas with a reliable canal system, offering a consistent water source for irrigation. It may require constructing canal branches or installing a water lift pump to direct water to the farm.
2. How is the Quantity Estimated?
• Flow Rate of the canal (L/sec or m³/day) is the first consideration.
• The required amount of water is calculated based on the irrigation demand for the crops and the land area.
• For example, a farm with 10 hectares of crops might require 2,000 m³ of water per day during peak irrigation times.
Estimation formula for water need:
o Water requirement = (Area × Crop water demand) / Irrigation system efficiency.
o Crop water demand can vary (e.g., paddy: 6–7 mm/day, maize: 5–6 mm/day).
3. What are the Cost Components?
• Canal access fee (Government or local authority charges)
• Water lifting system (Pump, motor, etc.)
• Piping & canals (for water distribution)
• Filter/Screening system (to prevent debris in water)
• Pump house or storage tank (if needed for water storage)
• Energy or fuel costs (for running pumps)
• Labor & installation costs
• Maintenance and repair (for pumps, pipes, filters)
4. What are the Going Rates & Per Unit Cost?
• Canal access fee: Variable based on local authority; can be ₹5,000–₹20,000 annually.
• Water lifting system:
o Motorized pump (submersible): ₹20,000–₹50,000 based on capacity
o Pump house construction: ₹50,000–₹1 lakh
• Piping:
o PVC pipes: ₹40–₹80 per meter
o HDPE pipes (more durable): ₹100–₹200 per meter
• Storage tanks:
o 10,000L plastic tank: ₹25,000–₹35,000
o 50,000L ferrocement tank: ₹1,50,000–₹2,00,000
• Energy/fuel costs: ₹5–₹8 per kilowatt-hour or depending on diesel/petrol prices
• Maintenance: Typically ₹5,000–₹15,000/year depending on wear and tear.
Example: For a farm requiring 50,000 L/day from the canal:
• Canal access fee: ₹10,000/year
• Pump system (2 hp): ₹30,000
• Piping (200 m): ₹16,000
• Storage tank (10,000 L): ₹30,000
• Total estimated installation cost: ₹86,000
💧 Canal water is a great resource if you're near a system, providing a constant flow for irrigation at lower costs compared to borewells! Just be mindful of the water access fees and maintenance.
