Drip irrigation

Function

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): drip or micro-irrigation technology uses a network of plastic pipes to carry a low flow of water under low pressure to plants. Water is applied much more slowly than with sprinkler irrigation. Function.

Function

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): two types of emitters: pressure sensitive and pressure compensating. Pressure compensating emitters provide the same flow over a wide pressure range. Function.

Placement

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): locate emitters 12 inches apart in sand, 18 inches apart in loam, and 24 inches apart in clay. If one to two emitters are named for a plant in a clay soil, two or three may be required in a sandy soil. Placement.

Placement

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): emitter tubing spacings in ¼ inch tubing are typically 6, 12 or 24 inches. A wider range in ½ inch tubing, including 9, 12, 18, 24, 36 or 48 inches. Placement.

Method

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): in-line emitters — system water filtration with 200 mesh filters. Method.

Method

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): in permanent systems, the order of equipment is backflow prevention device, control valve, filter then pressure regulator. Method.

Method

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): a 150 to 200 mesh filter can be used for relatively clean municipal water. Method.

Constraint

CSU: household pressure is about 50–60 psi; the sheet says drip systems operate at about 20–30 psi.

Constraint

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): add 5 psi to the operating pressure for every 10-foot rise in elevation above the point of connection to the water source. Constraint.

Constraint

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): limit mainline to 200 feet in a single zone. Use ½ inch polyethylene mainline on small to medium properties where maximum flow per zone will not exceed 200 gph (figure is conservative). On medium to large properties, ¾ inch tubing to 480 gph per zone. Constraint.

Method

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): dedicate separate zones to drip irrigation. You cannot mix high-pressure sprinklers and drip on the same zone. Don’t mix micro-sprays with drip emitters. Method.

Method

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): use wire anchors every 3 feet to keep lines in place. Method.

Method

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): before irrigating for the first time in spring, flush the mainline to clear any accumulated dirt. Clean the filter. Cap the system, pressurize and check emitters. Method.

Method

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): winterization — detach the head assembly, control valve (if portable), backflow prevention device, filter and pressure regulator, and store indoors. Uncap the mainline to drain, then re-cap. Method.

Limit

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): contact your government building department or water provider to find out what backflow prevention is required locally. Source-attributed referral — not BioArva legal, code, or compliance advice.

Placement

Colorado State Extension (Colorado): for new plantings, emitters are placed over the root ball. Placement.

Limit

Colorado 4.702 sheet. Named-source components and methods — not a watering schedule and not a product.

Function

Utah State Extension (Utah): drip irrigation is divided into two broad categories: point source emitters and inline emitters. Function.

Method

Utah State Extension (Utah): most drip irrigation systems require a filtration of 120–200 mesh. Generally, inspect and clean filters monthly during the growing season. Method.

Constraint

Utah State Extension (Utah): most home irrigation systems operate at pressures ranging from 40 to 100 psi. Most drip irrigation systems are designed to operate between 10 and 30 psi. Constraint.

Placement

Utah State Extension (Utah): an average perennial planted in loam or clay soil usually requires one 1-gallon/hour emitter per plant. In sandy soil, two of the same emitters per perennial. Placement.

Method

Utah State Extension (Utah): metal fabric staples every 2 to 3 feet to secure drip tubing to the ground. Method.

Placement

Utah State Extension (Utah): do not increase the number of emitters around the trunk. Emitters should be placed toward the edge of the canopy as the canopy grows outward. Placement.

Limit

Utah DIY backyard drip sheet. Named-source components and methods — not a watering schedule and not a product.