Operation and Maintenance of Irrigation and Drainage Systems: Section III.–Operation

For the purpose of this manual, the subject of operation is treated by a discussion of the factors essential to good water management on an irrigation and drainage system; the staff necessary to accomplish the work and its responsibility; operating practices and procedures for the handling, movement, disposal or reuse of water; and the value of good records and communications in these operations. The irrigation system referenced in this manual is that generally referring to movement of water from its source to the user, and is that system prevalent in arid and semiarid areas as well as in humid areas. The use of the term drainage system refers to systems in which removal of excess surface water seasonally is normally a necessity.