Choosing Your Water Source & PressureUpdated 2 months ago
Pressure Is Everything
Blumat sensors rely on water pressure to function. Without it, the valve cannot open and no water flows. With too much, fittings can blow apart and tubing may pop off — leading to flooding or damage.
Safe operating range: 1 to 15 PSI.
There are three ways to deliver water within this range. Which one is right for you depends on your setup size, available water source, and distribution method.
Option 1: Gravity-Fed Reservoir
The simplest and most common approach. Pressure is created by raising a water reservoir above your plants — no pump or external pressure source needed.
- Every 2 feet 4 inches of elevation = ~1 PSI
- Minimum functional height: 3 feet (~1.25 PSI)
- If using BluSoak 2.0 drip tape, aim for at least 3.5 feet of elevation (1.5 PSI minimum)
- Even at 12 feet of elevation you remain safely within the low-pressure operating range
Gravity systems are ideal for basic Blumat drippers, BluSoak 2.0 drip tape, and smaller container setups. They're quiet, simple, and require no electricity.
Important: Gravity systems are sensitive to air bubbles. If your reservoir runs dry and air enters the tubing, flow can stop entirely. Always install flush valves or ball valves at the end of your supply lines so you can purge air when refilling.
Option 2: Pressure Reducing Fittings
When connecting to a pressurized source — hose bib, municipal line, or pump — you must use a pressure reducer. Standard household water pressure (40–80 PSI) will destroy Blumat fittings and tubing without one.
Three Blumat-compatible pressure reducers are available:
½-Bar Pressure Reducer (~7 PSI) — 8mm outlet
- Best for small systems with 1–10 sensors
- Max flow rate: ~0.75 GPM
- Ideal for short runs and small gardens
Full-Bar Pressure Reducer (~15 PSI) — 8mm outlet
- Suitable for mid-size systems with up to 20 sensors
- Max flow rate: ~1 GPM
- Supports higher-pressure distribution like BluSoak 3.0 or drip rings
Sustainable Village System-Wide Pressure Reducer (Adjustable: 5–15 PSI)
- Designed for large, zoned systems with up to 300 sensors
- Max flow rate: ~7 GPM
- Pairs with ½-inch trunk lines to maintain even pressure across multiple zones
Option 3: Pump Systems
Blumat sensors require constant pressure — something traditional pumps don't provide on their own (most pumps surge when they start and drop when they stop). A Blumat-compatible pump system solves this with four components working together:
- Pump — low flow rate, typically 1–3 GPM
- Pressure switch — turns the pump on/off based on demand
- Pressure accumulator tank — stores water under pressure so the pump can cycle off and still deliver flow
- Pressure reducer — ensures the Blumat system sees only a stable, safe working pressure
Two pump kit options are available:
- Mini Pump Kit — suitable for systems using up to 50 gallons per day
- Large Pump Kit — suitable for systems using up to 300 gallons per day
Water Quality & Reservoir Maintenance
Regardless of your pressure source, water quality matters. Particulates, biofilm, and algae can clog sensors and distribution lines over time.
- Use clean water free of large particulates
- Keep reservoirs cool and out of direct light to prevent algae growth
- Clean reservoirs periodically with hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid, or diluted bleach
- When flushing with cleaning products, always open a flush valve at the end of your supply line first — this lets debris exit the system rather than getting trapped in sensors
- Optional: inline filters or UV sterilizers can be added to reduce buildup in high-use systems