SPRINKLER COMPARISON FEATURE Pressure regulation and efficient nozzles like mul-
tistream, rotary or curtain nozzles also contribute to pre- venting water loss. “Efficient nozzles provide uniform water distribution
across the full range of water throw,” Johnson says. “Pres- sure regulation optimizes the water pressure to reduce wasted water due to misting. As a reference, every 10 psi regulated equals a 7% water savings.” Hall adds that efficient sprinkler heads spray larger wa-
ter droplets, thus reducing the effects of wind drift, “which can cause uneven watering or even carry water spray out- side the intended area of coverage.” Aaron Gagnon, associate product manager for large turf
rotors, ST systems and accessories, Hunter Industries, San Marcos, California, also attributes efficient sprinkler heads’ capabilities to regulate pressure as a way to reduce loss of water application. “Many spray bodies have pressure regulators in them,” Gagnon says. “Using this type of product will greatly con- tribute to using less water.”
Another significant component of efficient sprinkler heads is their ability to reduce water loss caused by runoff or drift. Bruner notes that efficient sprinkler heads’ prowess in
regulating pressure is key to avoiding drift. “Many areas have water pressure over 50 pounds while
a typical spray sprinkler is designed for optimum perfor- mance in the mid-30-pound range,” Bruner says. “Exces- sive pressure results in misting and drift as the water doesn’t effectively make its way to the root zone of the landscape.” Bruner also highlights the clash between a spray sprin-
kler’s typical precipitation rate and soils’ intake rate. “Te typical precipitation rate of a spray sprinkler at 1.5 inches per hour is much greater than the intake rate of soils like clay at only 0.2 inches per hour,” Bruner says. “So, runoff is best reduced through run-and-soak cycling with a smart controller.” Ensuring that water is applied at the correct rate for
the soil type is another way that efficient sprinkler heads reduce runoff or drift. “Tighter soils will need a slower application rate and
larger water droplets to effectively absorb the water that is being applied,” Deasy says.
Efficient sprinkler heads do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to lowering water use. However, contractors can help home or property owners decrease runoff or drift through calculated measures during the irrigation system design process. Bruner stresses that it’s critical contractors consider a
site’s water pressure in their design and equipment selec- tion.
“Contractors should choose matched precipitation rate nozzles with proper head spacing to enable efficient and uniform watering,” Bruner says.
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE IS ALSO NECESSARY TO VERIFY THAT THE ARC SETTINGS ON THE ROTORS
AND SPRAYS HAVE NOT CHANGED OVER TIME. CLEANING THE HEADS IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMOVE DEBRIS THAT MAY CAUSE LEAKS OR AFFECT WATER DISTRIBUTION.”
Hall advises contractors or property owners not run
sprinklers during windy weather and shut the irrigation system off when runoff or pooling of water on the ground is noticed. “Multiple start times better known as ‘cycle and soak’ al- low the soil/ground time to absorb the spray,” Hall says. “A good general rule is to wait an hour between start times.” He also urges contractors to use multistream or rotary nozzles as they help with soil absorption instead of waste- ful runoff or drift. Contractors should also use up-wind/ down-wind head spacing and low-angle nozzles to account for windy conditions. Johnson suggests contractors use rotors and spray bod- ies with optional or standard integrated check valves to re- duce runoff or low head drainage. Rotors or spray bodies with pressure regulation can also be used to optimize the output pressure of the emitter and eliminate misting and water waste. Contractors should set the edges of the rotor or spray nozzles to minimize watering hardscapes along the edges of turf and reduce runoff or drift. During windy weather, low-angle nozzles can be used to reduce drift. “Periodic maintenance is also necessary to verify that
the arc settings on the rotors and sprays have not changed over time,” Johnson says. “Cleaning the heads is also im- portant to remove debris that may cause leaks or affect wa- ter distribution.”
McKenna Corson is a freelance writer in Denver, Colorado, and can be reached at
mckenna8989@gmail.com.
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