Irrigation System Design and Components


Irrigation System Selection and Design - Focusing on the types of systems, their components, water application concepts and system evaluation are goals for this module. At the beginning of each topic I give specific objectives that should tell you what we want you to focus upon. So, the overall objectives of this module are:

Irrigation systems consist of plumbing to move water from a source to the plants. Irrigation is about having an adequate flow of water available under sufficient pressure to operate all the sprinklers, emitters, or watering hoses being used at one time.

This means that the system should be designed so that the distribution system is matched to the available flow and pressure. Since water flowing in a pipe is subject to friction loss, a resistance to flow, the pipes are sized to minimize pressure loss and pressure variation within an irrigation zone, a group of sprinklers or emitters that operate together.

Good system design is critical for uniform application of water to all plants in an irrigation zone. An irrigation design should be done by a competent, experienced person. Design is very important and can not be covered in depth in the scope of this course. However, many factors related to design are covered in this course so that the owner and operator understand their importance to proper operation.