Water Resources Engineering_Sprinkler system of irrigation
Improving the efficiency of the irrigation system is an important part of the water savings, achieved
by removing grass. While watering by hand can deliver precise amounts to each plant, for many it
is not practical. The option most chosen is to modify the existing sprinkler system, to make it more
efficient. There are two methods of modifying the irrigation system, either by installing high
efficiency components on the existing system, or converting the existing system to a drip irrigation
system.
Improving the Existing Spray Irrigation System by Installing High Efficiency Components
If the landscape is installed with plants spaced close together, then keeping the spray sprinkler system, and retrofitting existing sprinkler heads with rotating sprinkler nozzles will be a more efficient way to irrigate. Rotating sprinkler nozzles apply water at a slower rate than typical spray nozzles, and they apply water more uniformly. These nozzles can use up to 20% less water too! They also qualify for rebates at socalwatersmart.com.
Improving the Existing Spray Irrigation System by Installing High Efficiency Components
If the landscape is installed with plants spaced close together, then keeping the spray sprinkler system, and retrofitting existing sprinkler heads with rotating sprinkler nozzles will be a more efficient way to irrigate. Rotating sprinkler nozzles apply water at a slower rate than typical spray nozzles, and they apply water more uniformly. These nozzles can use up to 20% less water too! They also qualify for rebates at socalwatersmart.com.
Converting the Existing Spray Irrigation System to Drip Irrigation Technology
If the landscape is installed with individual plants spaced apart (usually separated with mulch, gravel or a pathway), then retrofitting the zone to drip irrigation might be the best way to irrigate efficiently. With drip you only apply water to the root zone of each individual plant. A drip system can deep water plants, without runoff, and it can help to eliminate weeds between plants. Drip Irrigation zones require two things that spray zones don’t need.
Pressure regulator, which operates between 20 and 40 pounds per square inch pressure. A spray system operates above 50 pounds per square inch. Not reducing the pressure will damage drip irrigation components (typically the system blows apart).
Filter, which removes any fine sand or grit which might clog the drip emitters.
Drip irrigation systems can be installed completely above ground with the old spray system being removed or abandoned in place.
(Text source : http://www.cityofpasadena.net/ )
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