Irrigation and Water Management By Nina Colasurdo
A Step-by-Step Guide W
hen watering landscapes with drip irrigation sys- tems it is important to recognize that systems need, at a minimum, yearly maintenance — but prefer- ably twice-a-year maintenance. Drip systems need
to be thoroughly checked for broken and/or damaged compo- nents to ensure plants are getting all of their watering require- ments met. The following is a guide to help navigate you through an annual physical for a drip irrigation system. A step-by-step check-up of each component will uncover water-wasting prob- lems and damaged components. Repairs or replacing these com- ponents are much easier and less expensive than sprinkler systems and do not require a lot of digging, gluing or expensive supplies.
Step 1: Check the pressure Go to each lateral valve and check that pressure is operating in
the correct range. Most drip systems operate in a range of 20 to 50 psi. High pressure is typically the reason for a drip irrigation system not functioning properly. Emitters operating at high pres- sure will not provide the correct flow rates, and will frequently pop off the tubing, resulting in a significant water waste. Fittings, both barb and compression, will be subject to failure due to exces-
to Maintaining a Drip Irrigation System
sive pressure. Operating pressure too low will result in reduced performance, and again flow rates of emission devices will be af- fected. If pressure is too high, install or replace the regulator. If pressure is too low, consider removing the regulator or increasing to a regulator with a higher pressure threshold.
Step 2: Check the controller Turn on the controller and perform a manual run to operate
each valve. Make sure all valves are opening and closing properly with no signs of leaks around the solenoid or flow control. Run irrigation, for each valve zone, long enough to walk the site to check thoroughly for leaks or defective emitters. Mark leaks with landscape paint or flags. Check the timer run times to ensure that plant water requirements are met but not over-watered. If the controller is battery operated, replace the batteries.
Step 3: Check the filter With the use of many different water types — i.e. grey water,
reclaimed water, etc. — it is imperative that the proper filter size and type of filter is installed to protect your drip irrigation system. Filters can drastically improve the longevity of your emitters by
All photos courtesy of DIG Corp.
8 Landscape and Irrigation April 2011
www.landscapeirrigation.com
