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About Borby Water Tubes
Why Use Borby Water Tubes?
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Victoria
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The Borby Water Tubes underground watering system consists of using our water tubes and standard irrigation fittings to create a watering system that starts watering underground down at the root zone, it can also be completely buried underground or left lying on the surface.

This is not a drip system, as a single drip nozzle would only drip to the bottom of the tube and completely bypass the existing root system. We want the tubes to fill up so the existing root system is watered and the roots trained to grow down to following the water. We achieve this by using adjustable nozzles (Shrubbler or similar) to achieve a faster water flow that fills the tubes before the soil filtration starts.

The adjustable nozzles should be set up so the water level in the tubes stays at or near the top of the tube. You will need to make adjustments to the nozzles during the first few uses as the soil filtration rate improves. The water level in the tubes should be kept at or near the top of the tube.

We hope you find that the following pictures and instructions easy to follow but should you have any questions then please contact us here.



1. You will require 12mm or 19mm poly pipe, 4mm rubber tube, adjustable nozzles, general joining fittings and assiciated tools. All items should be readily available from your local irrigation supplier.
2. We recommend using 4mm rubber feed tube as, over time, the 4mm poly tube may crease; this could cut off the water supply.
3. Once the Borby Water Tubes have been installed, with the holes for the 4mm feed tube are at or below the surface, then you are ready to start.
4. Roll out the main (12mm or 19mm), poly supply pipe. What you use will depend on the length of the watering run.
5. Thread a length of 4mm rubber feed tube through the hole in the Borby Water Tube.
6. Fit the adjustable nozzle to the inside end of the 4mm rubber feed tube.
7. Once the nozzle has been fitted leave it outside the tube for adjusting once the water has been connected.
8. At a location close to the tube make a hole in the (12mm or 19mm), poly supply pipe for the connecting barb.
9. Fit the joining barb to the (12mm or 19mm), main poly supply pipe.
10. Fit the rubber feed tube to the barb.
11. One completed. Now repeat steps 5 to 10 for all of the Borby water Tubes in the watering run.
12. Fit the stop end to the main poly supply pipe.
13. This run has an inline filter and a hose connection.
14. Fit the hose.
15. Turn on the water, for peace of mind a tap timer has been used.
16. Adjust the nozzles to a slow flow to start with.
17. Once adjusted place the nozzle into the Borby water Tube.
18. Fit the cap and cover the pipes with mulch or soil.
19. The tubes should fill, some small overflow may occur to start with.
20. For grass areas you will need to remove the turf and dig a small trench for the supply pipes.
21. Once the run is completed replace the turf to cover the pipes.
22. Fit the cap flush with the grass so it can be mowed over.
23. Re-adjust the nozzles to a faster flow as the filtration improves.
24. Try to keep the tube full or near full until the plant has had time to adjust to being deep watered.
These trees were being watered when these pictures were taken


No water running down the steps

No water running down the driveway

The better way and smarter way to water



To convert an existing system with fixed drip or spray nozzles you will need to remove and block off your existing nozzles and re-run with adjustable nozzles and follow the appropriate steps shown above.

If you already have adjustable nozzles on risers then disconnect the risers, pull the nozzles off the tubes and carry out steps 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 18 and 23.

How to measure the amount of water you are giving your plants:
With the system turned on remove one of the nozzles from its water tube and place into a measuring cup or jug, and time how long it takes to fill. Example 250ml in 30 seconds would equal 1 litre in 2 minutes, so 20 minutes watering would be 10 litres of water.
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