Pumping Cost - Rice Irrigation

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Soil and Water Management
Rice Irrigation - Pump Cost

The total cost for pumping irrigation water is influenced by several factors. Taxes, insurance, interest, depreciation, maintenance and energy must all be considered as real costs. Energy is usually more than 50 percent of the total pumping cost over the life of an irrigation pumping plant.

Table 5 presents typical energy use values for various energy sources and different pumping depths. Since energy prices can vary from season to season, current energy prices should be applied to the energy use values to calculate actual cost. Energy use values vary due to motor or power unit design, wear and matching to load. The values are presented as a guide for comparison.

Table 5. Energy Use Comparison
	Typical Energy Use Per Ac-In of Water Pumped from Different Pumping Depths¹
Energy Unit²	50'	100'	150'	200'	250'
Electric - KWH (Conventional)	8.2	16.4	24.6	32.8	41.0
Electric - KWH (Submersible)	9.0	18.0	27.0	36.0	45.0
Diesel - GAL	0.5	1.1	1.6	2.2	2.7
LP Gas - GAL	1.0	2.0	3.0	4.0	5.0
Gasoline - GAL	0.8	1.6	2.4	3.2	4.0
Natural Gas - CCF	1.0	2.0	3.0	4.0	5.0
Note: Typical energy use can vary + 20 percent due to motor or power unit design, weat and matching to load.
¹The pumping plant performance values used in the calculations are based on Nebraska Standards and Arkansas pumping plant tests. The values for gasoline, LP and natural gas include a 5 percent drive loss, while no drive loss is considered for electric. All values assume a 75 percent pump efficiency. Typical fuel consumption is based on the system performing at 80 percent of the best performance possible. Pumping depth is depth to water when pumping. ²KWH = kilowatt hour; GAL = gallon; CCF = 100 cubic feet

Typical values for the amount of water pumped in a season have been determined for different soil textures (Table 6). The values may vary but can be used as a guide for determining seasonal water use.

Table 6. Typical Water Use
Soil Textural Group	Seasonal Water Use
	Ac-In/Ac	Ac-Ft/Ac
Silt Loam with pan	24	2.0
Silt Loam no pan	30	2.5
Loam or Clay	36	3.0
Sandy	48	4.0

Tables 5 and 6 can be used to estimate energy cost as well as to compare actual energy costs to what is presented as typical. This information can be useful for evaluation of water management practices.

Example:

Rice field is predominantly clay
Pumping depth is 100 feet
Diesel power unit with diesel at $0.90 per gallon
Typical energy use from Table 5 is 1.08 gal/ac-in
Typical water use from Table 6 is 36 ac-in/ac

Estimated energy cost is:
1.1 gal/ac-in x 36 ac-in/ac x $0.90/gal = $35/ac

For more information on pumping irrigation water, request publication MP 279, Pumping Irrigation Water, from the local county Extension office.

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Soil and Water Management Rice Irrigation - Pump Cost

Soil and Water Management
Rice Irrigation - Pump Cost