basic drip irrigation · basic drip irrigation saving santa fe’s precious water for future...

Drip Irrigation Workshop 2019

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Basic Drip IrrigationSaving Santa Fe’s Precious Water

For Future Generations

Do This Don’t Do That

What Is Drip Irrigation? Measured application of water

to root zone of the plant Roots are saturated without runoff Reduced weeds Healthier plants through regular

adequate watering Walkways, walls, and windows stay dry Saves time by watering all plants

simultaneously and automatically

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What Is Sprinkler Irrigation? Above ground spray of water to medium or

large irrigated areas

Good for residential lawns and grass areas

Spray distances can range from 8’ to 100’+

Spray bodies can be mounted above ground or recessed at ground level & ‘popup’ when used

Drip vs Sprinklers

Low pressure, low volume

Best for Xeriscapes Relatively freeze proof Wind resistant Minimum evaporation

High pressure, high volume

Best for turf & lawns Lines must be drained Affected by winds Evaporation can be

substantial

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Components of a Drip System

Water is applied by small devices called emitters or drippers

Small sprayers may also be used

Flexible line, typically ¼”, supplies emitters

May also use flexible line with molded in emitters at regular intervals

Fine screen filter to prevent emitter clogging

Pressure regulator to reduce supply pressure

Components of a Sprinkler System

Simple popup bodies spray in a selected pattern & distance

Gear drive or rotor bodies popup & spray a moving stream over a specified arc

Impact sprinklers are designed for above ground mounting

Fixed risers or swing arm assemblies supply water to the spray body

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Common Components To Both Systems Supply lines of appropriate type to distribute

water from the source to the system

Single zone – faucet or battery timer

Multi-zone – typically a controller with electric valves

Controls

System Types- Faucet Based or Multi Zone?

Supplied right off the hose bib or yard hydrant

May be expanded to several zones

Ie: front and back yards, vegetable gardens, courtyards, etc

Easy homeowner installation

Easy homeowner maintenance

>> Faucet Based <<

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System Types- Faucet Based or Multi Zone?

Supplied from underground main with buried shutoff

Properties with significant lawn areas or variety of plants

Applications involving commercial landscaping

Handles varied watering schedules

>> Multi Zone <<

Parts of a Faucet Based System Hose wye

Battery timer (optional)

Backflow prevention device

Filter

Pressure reducer

Tubing to carry water to planted areas

Emitters and sprinklers to distribute water

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Multi Zone System Components

Main shut off, drain, & backflow prevention

Valve box, manifold, filter, pressure reducer, & valves

Timers & weather monitors

Pop up sprinklersand rotors

Drip system zones

System Design

Simple map of landscape with rough measurements

Predominant soil type

Watering Schedule

Plant types & water needs

Number & sizes of emitters

Water Source

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Water Supply

Calculate volume of your source

Faucet capacity

Tubing capacities and length limits

Installation

Arranging the supply tubing in your landscape

Efficiency, convenience, durability considerations

Should I bury it?

Fittings to get where you’re going

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Emitter Placement

Types of emitters

Netafim

Drip-In tubing vs “soaker hose”

Fan spray applications

System Upgrades

Replace soaker hose with Pepline/Netafim

Use pressure compensating emitters

Add matched precipitation rotors/nozzles

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Control Upgrades

Add rain sensor

Add micro-climate control device

Add Wi-Fi accessibility

“Eye On Water”

Android, Apple, PC Highly precise & accurate

Measure irrigation usage Measure virtually any water

use

Check for water leaks

Know how much water you consume

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Maintenance

Winterization in fall

Start up in Spring

System Design Concerns

Insufficient volume for the number of emitters or sprinklers

Insufficient pressure

Too much pressure -emitters blowing off -sprayers misting

Excessive supply line length - friction losses

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Drip System Issues

Flexible line fittings or emitters may separate Emitters may clog up or incur root intrusion &

blockage Dogs, shovels, sharp rocks, etc, may cut lines Abnormally hard water may cause mineral buildup

in lines & emitters Freeze damage Inconsistent products over time Thoroughly “tune up” system

every few years

Sprinkler System Issues

Spray nozzles may clog up Gear drive or rotor components

may fail Water pressure issues or sprinkler

spacing may cause uneven coverage Ground settling or kicking/hitting/etc

may knock spray bodies out of alignment

Freeze damage

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Valve & Timer Issues

Valve bonnet leaks

Solenoid or diaphragm failure

Cut and/or loose wires

Timer affected by power surge or failure

Incorrect timer scheduling

Multiple programs may overlap

Why Shop at The Firebird

Free personalized help with education, design,& application solutions

Discount Coupon One stop shopping Factory direct

pricing Professional grade

components

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