Improving Drainage using copper wire 1

[Larke]

Just an idea I heard. I was told today that in some cases when installing a tile drainage system some people lay a strand of copper wire down its length. Apparently, this copper somehow keeps roots from growing into the tile drains and wrecking them. I'm just curious if this is true or not, and if so how does it work.

 

[ivanrave]

I found this:

Copper wire: It was once a practice to lay a single strand of copper wire along or within clay drainage tile where lines ran in the vicinity of trees and their roots. Roots have been observed to ‘veer’ away when in very close vicinity to the copper. There is no indication that this technique worked to prevent roots from entering and plugging tile. This technique is not used in modern tile installations and should not be used unless an explanation can prove its effectiveness in the field. The current practice of using non-perforated tile near trees and under stream buffer plantings is the preferred method.

Taken from:

http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/farmtile.htm

Hope it helps.