Hi comelague,

This will be hard to describe accurately but here is an idea to think about. Build a side wooden gate into the side of the ditch with the the top equal to the bank height and the bottom 1/2 way to the bottom of the ditch. Outside that gate dig a deep hole and line it with concrete. This is your sump that collect clean water from the top half of the ditch. Make a debris screen at a 45 degree slope if you need to in the ditch. Put a submersible pump in the sump and pump to your trees. This system gets you cleaner water from the ditch and you can leave the gate open most of the time as long as the sump walls are higher than the ditch bank. When a storm comes close the gate if necessary to keep debris and silt out of your sump. Every few years pull the submersible out and clean the sump. You don't need drippers for trees. Just down size the lines to flow freely for the time you need to water the trees. You'll save electricity by irrigating more quickly and get better coverage to the larger root areas. A line with small holes punched in the line works just as good. JMHO. Aloha.

HI,
I know nothing about pumps but run off from other peoples yards can contain chemicals that kill weeds, brush, etc. and that waste water might damage your trees, no? Hate to rain on your parade but I think I would have the water tested at the extension office before going forward.