Most farmers know their diesel bill but not what a cubic metre of water costs them.
What drives cost
- Total lift: the deeper the water and the higher the pressure you need, the more energy per cubic metre.
- Pump and motor efficiency: a worn or wrongly sized pump can waste a third of the energy.
- Fuel or power price and maintenance.
Quick checks
Time how long it takes to fill a known container, to find flow. Compare fuel used per hour to estimate cost per cubic metre. Fix leaks, shorten pipe runs, use larger-diameter pipes to cut friction, and right-size the pump to the job.
Look at alternatives
Solar pumping removes fuel cost; many farms recover the investment within a few seasons, depending on fuel prices.
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