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AUG- 9-99 MON 9:39 AM 7-H TECHNICAL SVC GRP FAX NO. 5302732290 P, Advantages of subsurface Subsurface Drip scale buildup develops on emitters, an • Drip systems include .. . acid treatment may be necessary. • Water and nutrients are delivered Systems Have Many directly to plant roots. Setbacks and Buffer Zones • Less water is required when irri- j Advantages As with spray irrigation$%stems,regu- gating with drip systems than with sufaccormri, ed�rn page lations typically require that dei systems spray systems and other be installed a minimum distances from irrigation methods. The submains supply the amount of nearby residences,property lines,public • Wastewater is distributed more water required by the individual laterals it areas,wells,surface water resources,and evenly with drip systems than feeds.and valves are located between the spray systems and open irrigation groundwater.However.because drip sys- trenches. main and the submains to control the flow tems deliver wastewater below ground • Evaporation losses and weed of water to different parts of the system. and do not produce aerosols.buffer zones growth are reduced because the of 25 to 50 feet are generally required to soil surface remains dry. �fQg • Operating lawnmowers and farm neighboring residences—considerably Drip s}stem emitter clogging was more less than is required for spray systems, equipment is easier because system of a problem in the past than it is today. components are buried and the soil making drip disposal more practical for surface stays dry. Root intrusion into the drip tubing and smaller home lots. • There is no aerosol generation and no j internal clogging from the buildup of sed- wastewater contact with plant foliage. iment.suspended solids,algae,and bacte- OperatlOnr Maintenance, and • crops irrigated with drip systems rial slime have been diminished greatly by Schedllfing can be harvested sooner than when � better pretreatment,filtration.disinfection, irrigated with spray systems. As with spray systems,drip irrigation and new tubing and emitter designs.Most must be scheduled so that plants benefit • Fewer problems exist with odors, I systems allow weekly or biweekly forward from the nutrients and other constituents ponding,and runoff. • There is less chance of wastewater flushing of the tubes to scouring velocity to in the wastewater without being over- carrying additional chemicals,such as remove slime and sediment buildup. whe)med by them.and the needs of the pesticides and fungicides,from the The size of the emitter orifices also plants must be balanced with the capacity ground surface to groundwater important to prevent clogging and should of the soil to treat the most restrictive • Studies suggest nitrogen in wastewater range from four to six times the maximummay be better absorbed by plants and components in the wastewater.These less likely to pollute groundwater when size of the particles that can pass through concerns must be balanced in tum with the mesh of the filter screen preceding the applied directly to plant roots. climate and other site factor>. • In some cases,fewer pretreatment distribution system.For example,a system i..ess labor usually is required for oper- steps are required for wastewater with using a filter screen size of 115 microns acing and maintaining fixed subsurface drip systems. (140 mesh)should have emitters approxi- drip system components as compared to • It is less likely that subsurface drip mately 300 microns in diameter to achieve spray systems and surface drip systems components can be accidently or about a six-to-one ratio. with moveable components.For small intentionally damaged. When even a few emitters do clog,it can • Flexible tubing can accommodate sites -;--and individual home-systems.the pattern with complex topographies. ; affect the pressure inside the tubes and the of flow may be fixed or adjusted manual- • There are generally fewer operation unifom�iry of wastewater distribution in ty or automatically by the homeowner and maintenance requirements thanthe field.It also may be difficult to identify or operator.depending on the system with spray systems. and service buried emitters that clog.And design and sophistication.In general,the like tradidonal soil absorption systems best care for subsurface drip systems is Disadvantages of Subsurface „ with septic Systems,saturation of the provided by following the individual Drip Systems include • . . soil around the emitters of a drip system manufacturer recommendations. • Emitters can potentially clog,affecting can eventually lead to the formation of a Some communities may require home- the uniformity of application. biological clogging mat,which can cause : owners and small system owners to main- • Temporary use of sprinklers or other system,failure.However,in general.sub- surface irrigation may be necessary rain a service contract with an authorized i surface drip systems are considered to he manufacturer's representative to ensure during plant germination period. a manageable and reliable technology. itor and correct appropriate monitoring and maintenance. • tentIt is difficult to monal emitter clogging. Filters on all drip systems need to be Larger systems often have full-time oper- poi a etof freezing temperatures on checked and periodically backflushed or ators to maintain and service systems and drip systems and applying wastewater cleaned.13ackflushing reverses the water to control the pattern of was[ewa[er(low to frozen ground is still the suf>;ect of (low through the lines and the filters to to irrigate different crops or fields.Some study and debate. release trapped sediments.Some systems systems can be operated and monitored can be set up to backwash automatically remotely through telemetry. at preset intervals,or Operators can do it j Refer to the lisr of NSFC docurnercts on manually as needed.The wastewater flow needs to checked periodically to deter- I page 8 and rhe list of c°nracts on page I for more detailed inforwarion on subsur- mine if any emitters are plugging.If a i face drip systems. oil Na6ona[Small Flows Cie&mghcuse 1-800-624-0301