Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam
KHAIRPUR COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY Khairpur MIR’S
AGRICULTURE ENGINEERING
What is Drainage and its Types
Compiled By |Engr. Shahid Hussain Abro
Email | [email protected]
Department of Soil & Water Resources Engineering
Drainage
Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of a surface’s water and sub-surface water from an area with
excess of water. The internal drainage of most agricultural soils is good enough to prevent severe
waterlogging (anerobic conditions that harm root growth), but many soils need artificial drainage to
improve production or to manage water supplies.
or
The removal, disposed due excess amount of water for the soil surface is known as drainage
Drainage can be either natural or artificial. Many areas have some natural drainage; this means that excess
water flows from the farmers’ fields to swamps or to lakes and rivers. Natural drainage, however, is often
inadequate and artificial or man-made drainage is required
Surface Drainage System
Surface drainage systems remove excess water from the land’s surface through channels or ditches. In
some cases, the ground surface is shaped or graded to create sloping toward the channels. Different types
of surfaces drainage systems are open drains, humps and hollows, levees, and grassed waterways. A cast-
in-place trench drain is a perfect example of a surface drainage system.
Sub-Surface Drainage System
Subsurface drainage systems are implemented beneath the top layer of soil. Sometimes referred to as a
French drain, they work at the root level to remove excess water. Dig ditches to install the pipes of
subsurface drains. ABT sells a variety of subsurface drainage solution options based on the needs and the
location of where the drain would be placed.
Slope Drainage System
Slope drainage systems are built to allow water to flow from a structure in a downward direction. It is
done with the aid of pipes that move down through the slope. Since the installed pipe is anchored to an
incline, it guides the water through the pipe to get it swiftly away from the structure.
Downs Pouts and Gutter Systems
Downspouts and gutter systems are a structure’s first defense against over-saturation from stormwater.
They are often drained into an aluminum extension, buried drainpipe, rain barrel, or other solution. The
purpose is to move water away and route water to other drainage systems on the street or sidewalk.
Sometimes they are even connected to an underground sewer line using gutter drains or ―underground
drains‖.
Department of Soil & Water Resources Engineering
In understanding the types of drainage systems, you’ll see that often multiple types work together to
remove water and guide it to an appropriate place. The faster water is removed from a structure or area in
which pooling can occur, the better. Drainage systems are an essential part of water conservation and
preservation that people rarely think about.
Need for Drainage
During rain or irrigation, the fields become wet. The water infiltrates into the soil and is stored in its
pores. When all the pores are filled with water, the soil is said to be saturated and no more water can be
absorbed; when rain or irrigation continues, pools may form on the soil surface
During heavy rainfall the upper soil layers become saturated and pools may form. Water percolates to
deeper layers and infiltrates from the pools.
Part of the water present in the saturated upper soil layers flows downward into deeper layers and is
replaced by water infiltrating from the surface pools.
When there is no more water left on the soil surface, the downward flow continues for a while and air re-
enters in the pores of the soil. This soil is not saturated anymore.
However, saturation may have lasted too long for the plants’ health. Plant roots require air as well as
water and most plants cannot withstand saturated soil for long periods (rice is an exception).
Besides damage to the crop, a very wet soil makes the use of machinery difficult, if not impossible.
The water flowing from the saturated soil downward to deeper layers, feeds the groundwater reservoir. As
a result, the groundwater level (often called groundwater table or simply water table) rises. Following
heavy rainfall or continuous over-irrigation, the groundwater table may even reach and saturate part of the
root zone. Again, if this situation lasts too long, the plants may suffer. Measures to control the rise of the
water table are thus necessary. After heavy rainfall the groundwater table may rise and reach the root
zone.
After Heavy Rainfall
The removal of excess water either from the ground surface or from the root zone is called drainage.
Excess water may be caused by rainfall or by using too much irrigation water, but may also have other
origins such as canal seepage or floods.
In very dry areas there is often accumulation of salts in the soil. Most crops do not grow well on salty soil.
Salts can be washed out by percolating irrigation water through the root zone of the crops. To achieve
sufficient percolation, farmers will apply more water to the field than the crops need. But the salty
percolation water will cause the water table to rise. Drainage to control the water table, therefore, also
serves to control the salinity of the soil
Deep open Drains
The excess water from the rootzone flows into the open drains. The disadvantage of this type of
subsurface drainage is that it makes the use of machinery difficult. Control of the groundwater table by
means of deep open drains
Department of Soil & Water Resources Engineering
Pipe Drains
Pipe drains are buried pipes with openings through which the soil water can enter. The pipes convey the
water to a collector drain, Control of the groundwater table by means of buried pipes
Drain pipes are made of clay, concrete or plastic. They are usually placed in trenches by machines. In clay
and concrete pipes (usually 30 cm long and 5 – 10 cm in diameter) drainage water enters the pipes
through the joints Flexible plastic drains are much longer (up to 200 m) and the water enters through
perforations distributed over the entire length of the pipe.
Deep Open Drains Versus Pipe Drains
Open drains use land that otherwise could be used for crops. They restrict the use of machines. They also
require a large number of bridges and culverts for road crossings and access to the fields. Open drains
require frequent maintenance (weed control, repairs, etc.).
In contrast to open drains, buried pipes cause no loss of cultivable land and maintenance requirements are
very limited. The installation costs, however, of pipe drains may be higher due to the materials, the
equipment and the skilled manpower involved.
A proper Surface drainage system shapes and molds the land into a watershed that can convey the runoff
into an organized drainage system comprising of trench drains, catch basins, and storm sewers. If the
surface drainage is below par, it will have a dangerous impact on the subsurface drainage.
Surface drainage assists with the regulated removal of surface runoff on account of the irrigation,
precipitation, spring thaw, irrigation, or anything else that leads to surface water accumulation.
If the overflow is not dealt in time, it may have an adverse impact on the land and surrounding structures.
Improper planning may lead to erosion and sedimentation.
An effective surface drainage system is the only way to cope with heavy volumes of surface water
accumulation after bouts of intense rainfall. The lack of one may overwhelm and saturate the capacity of
the soil to absorb water, which could lead to extensive flooding and changes in landscape structure.
The Advantages of Underground Drainage System
Most homeowners get excited about building a new home but don’t pay much attention to installing a
good quality underground drainage system. However, this could lead to leakages and other issues in the
future which could further increase expenditures on repairs. Choosing quality underground drainage pipes
while renovating homes is important to protect the health of your loved ones. A functional drainage
system is responsible for disposing hazardous waste which is essential to maintain the hygiene of your
home. An underground drainage system should be built in such a way that it remains out of sight and does
not emit foul odour. These pipes are extensively used at residential and commercial spaces where sewage
control is vital. Let’s have a look at the advantages of an Underground Drainage System:
Department of Soil & Water Resources Engineering
Helps Collect Excess Rainwater
Underground Drainage System minimizes the risk of water flooding at your property. If you have a water
collection tank facility at your home, there are chances of it getting full during heavy rains. The excess
water can then pass through the drainage system which is then transported to larger water collection areas
via underground pipes. The underground drainage system ensures that wastewater is flushed out of the
site which further reduces the risk of contamination of water. The best pipes for building strong
Underground Drainage System are Foam core Pipes.
Enhances the Appearance of the Property
An open drainage system can look unpleasant and spoil the overall look of your home. Such conditions
might hamper you if you want to sell the property. Even if you get a buyer, you might not receive a fair
price to the property. Underground drainage system gives your property organised and finished look.
Mainly Foam core pipes are used to build Underground Drainage System.
Minimizes the Risk of Soil Erosion
If you are someone who loves gardening Underground Drainage System gives you a major advantage.
Underground Drainage pipes ensure no water drains into your garden. With an open drainage system,
rainwater will create pools in the garden which will later turn into a muddy mass. With the accumulation
of water in the garden the plants will not only die but excess water can also cause soil erosion.
Advantages of Foamcore Piping Systems
When it comes to underground piping systems, Foamcore pipes is the preferred choice as they are much
lighter than solid wall PVC pipes and are stronger too. Foamcore pipes have outer and inner layers of
conventional PVC and middle layer of foamed PVC. Outer and inner layers can take the load and middle
layer maintains the shape of the pipe. Not just that, it’s easier to install Foamcore pipes when compared to
concrete pipes. These pipes are also cost-effective and are compatible with other drainage products. They
are not just durable but are also more hygienic than open drainage.
The Disadvantages of Underground Drainage System
Considerations
Disadvantages of drainage include differences regarding the type of system or the materials used. For
example, the disadvantage of clay will not be the same as drawbacks applying to a French drain-system.
The inherent benefits of a material or system may outweigh the disadvantages.
Some Common Disadvantages of Drainage
French drains are notorious for soil or mud build-up. This may lead to drainage defects that channel water
into your home. For clay, normal amounts of pressure might cause the drainage system to deteriorate.
Different types of drainage – and how it is installed — may limit your landscaping choices.
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Maintenance
Maintenance is a primary disadvantage of drainage. This is especially true of roof gutters, which might
collect enough leaves and debris to warrant professional clean-up. Any discussion of disadvantages must
include mention of the prices of maintenance.
Benefits of Drainage System
Drainage Provides a Better Environment for Plant Growth:
The excess water which impedes the root respiration and which directly attacks the root tissue of most
crops is removed.
Increased Microbial Decomposition:
The presence of air in soil is essential for the growth of beneficial soil bacteria which converts the soil
organic matter and fertilizers into available plant food.
Drainage Improves Physical Properties of the Soil:
It improves soil structure and also infiltration capacity of soil is increased. Higher infiltration capacity
reduces erosion.
Drainage Maintains Proper Soil Temperature
The removal of free water by drainage allows the soil to warm up quickly. Proper soil temperature
accelerates plant growth and bacterial activity conditions for early planting and better germination.
Drainage Promotes Increased Leaching:
Drainage promotes increased leaching of salts and prevents their accumulation in soil.
Less time of Labour Requirement:
Less time and fewer labours are required for tillage operation in well-drained soil.
Better Root System:
The ability to grow an extensive root system means that the plant has a larger volume of soil, from which
it extracts nutrient and water.
Crop damage at harvest time due to wet ground is prevented.
Reduce Soil Erosion: Since, a well-drained soil has more capacity to hold rainfall, resulting in less runoff.
Removes Toxic Substances: Due to proper drainage toxic salts are removed from root zone
Department of Soil & Water Resources Engineering
Some Pictures of Drainage system
Surface Drainage Sub-Surface Drainage
Slope Drainage
Downs Pouts and Gutter Systems
The End
Department of Soil & Water Resources Engineering
