Date of Award

Spring 2021

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2021.

Department

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering

First Advisor

Laura Doyle

Abstract

A new irrigation and drainage system was designed and implemented for the non-profit organization Valley Verde located in downtown San Jose. The design incorporated an existing irrigation piping system installed by Valley Verde in winter 2020 and included new structural and electrical components to make the system automated and recirculating. The new structural components were easily replicable Douglas fir tables with reflective film that mitigate heat transfer to plants situated on top. The recirculating component consisted of a submersible pump, PVC tubing, a reservoir, and an underhanging attached PVC pipe that redirects water to reservoirs. The electrical components included humidity sensors that would allow for automated irrigating when plant soil achieved a specified dryness. A rainwater catchment system was planned and analyzed to incorporate recycled rainwater for this irrigation and drainage system. The new irrigation and drainage system will allow for reduced water waste in Valley Verde's irrigation, a reduction in Valley Verde's operating costs, and elimination of flooding in their current irrigation system.

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