Image Up Advertising & Design

8 | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | JULY 2023 | Drip Watering System One of the main benefits of having a drip irrigation system installed is improved water efficiency. Drip irrigation applies water directly to the ground or soil which results in very little water loss due to evaporation or runoff. A drip irrigation system typically consists of seven to eight different parts; almost all of them will be made up of the following: • Isolation and control valves to control the flow of water • Backflow preventer to prevent dirt, salmonella, bacteria etc. from being sucked back into the system • Pressure regulator to reduce water pressure and keep it at a constant level • Filter to clean the water and remove grains of sand, rust from pipes, snails, etc. • Drip tubing that is laid on the surface of the ground between the plants • Emitters that are attached to the drip tubing to regulate how fast water is released to the soil - they are usually small plastic devices that are screwed on to the drip tube • End cap to close the system and ensure that the water stays inside the drip tube Everything listed above can be found at your local hardware store. e usual rule of thumb is that one to two emitters are required per plant. Larger trees or shrubs may need more emitters. ey are usually placed at least 18" apart. Drip tubes should also be staked into the ground every three feet to prevent them from moving around too much. e first step in the installation process is to connect the drip irrigation system to the main water source: → e Fittings. Are the connections secure at each valve control zone? → e Filters. e right filter size and type matters. → Check for potential leaks. → Assess the Controller. Turn on the controller. Make sure all the valves are open. Don't forget to check the battery so the settings won't go back to default during a power outage. → Check the Pressure. e average drip irrigation system operates at about 20-50 psi. Sun and foot traffic may cause damage to the tubing of your system. To prevent cracks or sun damage, cover these tubings with mulch. A quality drip irrigation system will eliminate dri, which happens when the wind carries water from a standard sprinkler system away from the soil and into undesired areas like sidewalks, streets or other walkways. Architectural Review

• Cover