Subsurface Drip Irrigation
A Subsurface Drip Irrigation System
Is an Underground Sprinkler System
Drip Irrigation Supplies – Saint Louis
Subsurface drip irrigation has many advantages over sprinklers in certain situations and may be right for your needs. A subsurface drip irrigation system for turf is a simple grid of drippers formed by parallel emitter lines. It is, in reality, an underground sprinkler system. It's a robust technology that has proven reliable even in the harshest conditions.
Emitter lines consist of polyethylene tubing with drip emitters installed at specific intervals. Subsurface emitter lines do best when buried 4-6" below the surface and installed with air vents and automatic flushing ends. Emitter lines are placed under the soil in one of three ways. The first is hand trenching, the second is a mechanical trencher that cuts a narrow slot, and the third is with a pipe pulling vibratory plow. There is no best method, but usually site conditions suggest the most economical approach.
MPR Supply Carries Netafim, Rainbird, Point Source, Jain and Roberts Drip Irrigation Systems
Advantages of underground drip irrigation over sprinkler system irrigation:
- No water loss from evaporation
- No overspray even in small or irregular areas or on nearby windows
- The system is not subject to damage from foot and vehicle traffic or vandalism
- No runoff on slopes—and no water on sidewalks or fences
- Valves can be reduced—more area can be watered with less available flow
- Emitter line spacing, and thus precipitation rate, can be adjusted to account for berms, slopes and flat areas
- Grass roots grow deeper to seek the water, making the lawn more drought resistant, and reducing thatch build-up
Contact MPR Supply in Saint Louis Today for Consulting, Design and Technical Support for Your Underground Drip Irrigation System
Layout for Subsurface Drip Irrigation
Maximum spacing, for use in heavy clay soils, is 18" spacing of lines with emitters 18" apart on the lines. In lighter soils, the lateral water spread is not as great and tighter spacing is needed. The closest spacing ever needed is 12" spacing of lines with emitters 12" apart on the lines.
To avoid damage to the underground lines from replanting, use subsurface drip irrigation systems for lawns only in turf and perennial areas that are going to be left alone.