Using Well Meter Data to Make Better Irrigation Decisions

Let’s be real—well meters aren’t the most exciting part of farming. But if you know how to use the numbers, your meter can actually help you make better irrigation decisions on your farm leading to water, energy, and cost savings.

This little device can give you powerful insights to stretch every drop, improve crop health, and stay in compliance with groundwater regulations. 

Here are 4 ways you can use your well meter data can help you make better irrigation and water management decisions for your farming operation:

1. Understand How Much Water You’re Using

You probably have a general idea of how much water you’re using, but your well meter gives you the real numbers. Checking it regularly—daily, weekly, even monthly—helps you catch patterns you might not notice otherwise.

If your July numbers are higher than usual, is it because of the heat? A shift in your irrigation schedule? Or maybe something else? These little clues help you fine-tune your approach so you’re not wasting water—or money.

2. Catch Leaks, Clogs, and Equipment Issues

Let’s say you notice a change in the amount of flow during an irrigation compared to last week’s irrigation event. This may indicate operational leaks, clogged emitters, or equipment malfunctions, like a valve not fully closed.

A quick check when your system is running can save thousands of gallons. If the flow rate is different from what it should be, you know you have water going somewhere it shouldn’t be. The right flow rate will be on the original system design you received when you installed the system.

3. Match Water Supply to Crop Demand

Flow meters are a great tool for helping manage water on the farm, especially farms with a variety of crops on different soil types. We wouldn’t apply the same amount of water to a block of pistachios on heavy soil vs. grapes on sandy soil. Managing our water is important, using a flow meter is a great way to start measuring the water we are delivering to the field. By measuring the water we apply to each block, we can catch and limit operational waste of water on our farm. 

4. Plan for the Future

At the end of the season, looking back at your meter data helps you see the big picture. Maybe your well isn’t producing the volume of water that it used to. This data, through trends and patterns  can help indicate either equipment wear, or well output performance. These results can better inform you of upcoming operational problems in the future.

If you see that you’re pumping more water every year for the same crop, it might be time to rethink your irrigation strategy. Using well meter data along with other tools—like evapotranspiration rates and sensor technology—can help you get more crop per drop.

At the end of the day, meters give you real data to work with—data that helps you keep your well running strong, your crops healthy, and your bottom line in check.