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Design tools

PCDI hydraulic calculator

Size a pressure-compensating drip irrigation (PCDI) disposal field and find the pump duty point. Enter your site details and the results update as you type.

Site inputs

Grey = default value · Dark = your value

Used as the project name on the PDF.
L/day
mm/day
Set by soil category / council rules.
m
Distance between dripline laterals.
zones
If using a multi-port sequencing valve, enter the number of ports.
m
Distance from treatment plant to disposal field.
mm
m
Height of the field above the tank. If the field is below the tank, enter 0.
L
Volume pumped per dose (pump chamber working volume).
Advanced assumptions
m
L/hr
m
Minimum pressure at start of dripline.
m
m
Vertical distance between pump intake and top of tank.
%
mm
Pump flow
–
Total head
–
at zone flowrate
Field multiplier
–
Disposal area
–

Flow calculations

Pressure calculations

Field volume & dosing

Friction loss uses the Darcy–Weisbach equation with the Swamee–Jain friction factor (pipe roughness 0.0025 mm, water viscosity 1.004×10⁻⁶ m²/s). Pipe internal diameters: LDPE from Iplex Alkathene (NZS 7601) mean bore; MDPE (PE80 PN8 SDR17 / PN12.5 SDR11) and HDPE (PE100 PN8, SDR21) from AS/NZS 4130 mean ID. Results are indicative only and should be confirmed against the selected pump curve and site-specific design.

Want us to check your design?Our team knows wastewater inside out. Call 0800 628 356 or get in touch for a free site assessment.