Drip irrigation from a tote
A tote can head a drip system two ways: raised on a stand for gravity feed, or on the ground with a small pump. Gravity is simple but gives low pressure; a pump gives control. Either way the tote needs a filter, a screen and a clean history.
Last reviewed November 11, 2026
Gravity or pump
Gravity feed needs height. Water pressure is about 0.43 pounds per square inch for every foot of height, so a tote on a four-foot stand gives under two pounds, enough for some drip tape and not for most emitters. Raising a 2,300-pound tote four feet needs a proper structure. A small pump on the ground is cheaper and safer, and gives you the pressure the emitters need.
| Feature | Gravity | Pump |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure | Low | Controlled |
| Cost | Stand and fittings | Pump and power |
| Risk | Tall stand with 1+ ton | Pump failure |
| Fits | Small beds | Rows and blocks |
Filtration
Drip emitters are small, and tote water is dirty. Put a screen or disc filter between the tote and the line. Clean it on a schedule. A tote outlet draws from near the bottom, where sediment settles, so mount the valve a few inches up from the floor of the bottle if you can, or flush the bottom regularly.
Rain and well water
A tote that holds rain or well water supplies the system between rains. Screen the cap and cover the tote against light and mosquitoes, as for any rain tote. Iron in well water can stain and clog, and algae in sun can do the same.
Which tote
A rinsed or reconditioned tote that held a harmless product is usual. Avoid bottles that held herbicides or soap-based cleaners, which leave residues that foam in lines and kill leaves.
Starting small
Begin with one zone. Fit a tote, a filter, a pressure regulator and a short run of drip tape to a single bed, then watch it for a week. Look for clogged emitters, uneven wetting and leaks. Once the bed behaves, copy the arrangement to the next. Growers who build the whole farm at once tend to discover the same flaw forty times.
Reading the emitters
Check emitters weekly by looking for dry spots and puddles. Flush the end caps of each line every month. Replace cracked tape. Record the flow of each zone with a bucket and a watch. A drop of twenty percent means a clog.
Questions people ask
How big should a first zone be?
One bed or one short row.
Do I need a pressure regulator?
Yes, for most drip tape and emitters.
How high must the tote be for gravity drip?
About 0.43 psi per foot of height.
Do I need a filter?
Yes.
Can I use a tote for well water?
Yes, with a screen.
Why do emitters clog?
Sediment, algae and mineral scale.
Which grade?
Rinsed or reconditioned.
Ask for drip totes
Say the area and the count.