Amid a large drought affecting the country, new efforts are emerging to ease the water deficit. A Spanish company is developing an agricultural irrigation system that claims to cut water waste by as much as 70 percent.
The system, called DeepDrop, is described by Ernesto Rico, the director of Creacciona, to Efe as a replacement of surface irrigation with underground irrigation, noting that it uses 90 percent less infrastructure and optimizes water use more effectively.
The technology relies on a simple mechanical procedure. The device is drilled into the main irrigation line and placed underground in a hole of about 30 cm.
The object consists of two parts, a small buried tube and a small dome at the surface. Water flow is visualized through the device, and inspectors confirmed that there are no problems, according to Rico.
Surface view of the system deep drop
Water savings between 40 percent and 70 percent depending on the product
If a fault occurs, it can be repaired from the outside, a clear advantage since all inspections and repairs can be performed from the surface. This potentially lowers maintenance costs for farmers compared with conventional underground irrigation, Rico emphasizes.
The system saves between 40 percent and 70 percent of water, depending on crop type and, above all, soil type, which is particularly important. For example, silty, sandy, or clayey soils influence outcomes, Rico notes.
The system is compatible with nearly all crops and most plantations. It can be used in parks and gardens, for flowers, in nurseries, private homes, or public green areas.
One of the key benefits is reducing water stress by enabling short, frequent watering in a single day, ensuring that trees retain moisture, which improves crop health and ultimately yields. The method is also praised as ecological because it minimizes weed growth associated with surface irrigation and reduces or eliminates the need for herbicides.
DeepDrop is patented worldwide. While similar products exist on the market, this system claims to offer unique functionality, use, and visibility, according to Creacciona’s management team based in Torrox, Malaga.
Change the direction of root growth
The concept owes much to Ernesto’s father, inventor Antonio Rico, who created the system 30 to 40 years ago to address a persistent problem: surface irrigation caused tree roots to lift pavement during watering.
My father helped reduce watering because the roots change direction toward the interior, and the tree remains hydrated, Ernesto recalls. The invention evolved to a new format for agriculture, especially in light of ongoing water shortages seen globally and in Spain in recent years.
The drought that Spain endured—and that spread to many parts of the world—has driven exponential growth in sales, inquiries, and visits since last June, as the product is developed and manufactured wholly in Andalusia.
Creacciona reports shipment to all Spanish provinces and notes strong demand in the olive grove sector, with incoming calls from customers around the world, Rico states.
This product was designed within a circular economy and bioeconomy framework, meaning it is made from reusable components. Worn parts are recovered and remade into new parts, Rico concludes.
All information about the system is available through the company’s official materials and distributors in the region. The project has attracted attention from agricultural communities across continents, underscoring its global interest.
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Environment department contact address: [redacted in official materials]