Homeowners
frequently ask why we recommend a pressure regulator on every drip system. “I have lots of pressure at my house so why
should I spend an extra $10-$15 for some pressure reducer thingie?” There’s a
very good reason why a pressure reducer should part of every drip irrigation
system.
House Water Pressure Versus Drip System Water Pressure
Water
pressure in Santa Fe homes is generally between 60 and 110 pounds. However,
drip
irrigation systems are designed to operate accurately at between 30 and 15
pounds of pressure. Drippers and sprayers emit the correct amount of water only
between these pressures, and the tubing and fittings are designed for this
pressure range.
Excess
pressure can cause fittings to come loose or pop off, emitters to put out too
much water, and sprayers to produce a mist that blows away.
Can’t I Just Open The Faucet Part Way To Keep The Pressure Down?
In
a word, NO! Water pressure and water volume
are two interrelated but different measurements. When the faucet only open part
way, the gallons per minute is reduced, but the pressure behind it is still the
same 60 pounds. Instead of 5 to 9 gallons per minute at 60 pounds, you will
just have 2 to 4 gallons per minute at 60 pounds. Therefore, once the line in
the yard fills with water, the pressure inside the line will still be close to
60 pounds. To hold back the water with
your hand over the end of the faucet, you would still have to apply the same 60
pounds of pressure to stop the water.
If
there are enough drip emitters and sprayers on the line to use up the reduced gallons,
then turning the faucet down will result in “starving” of some of your
emitters. Without enough water in the line to serve all the emitters, some plants
will not get the water you were expecting them to receive.
The Right
Way Is Always The Best Way
Use
a pressure regulator to reduce water pressure down to the range that the system
is designed for. Operate your drip
system with the faucet all the way open to insure enough flow to serve all the
emitters on the line.
Keep
in mind that even though a fully open faucet can flow up to 300gph, you will
only use as much water as your emitters call for. 50 two gallon emitters will only use 100
gallons per hour.
The
Firebird carries a full selection of pressure regulators to meet any need. We offer professional grade pressure
regulators by Senninger Irrigation, a global supplier of irrigation tools for
agriculture, mining, dairy, effluent, and wastewater industries.
