Free audit of irrigation systems offered

FALLBROOK –Irrigation systems should be running at peak performance for the 2012 growing season, but with many activities going on all at the same time in the spring, the irrigation system often gets over looked as the workhorse of the operation when it really deserves the most attention. Now is the time to make sure that the system is operating at peak efficiency so that problems can be avoided when the summer arrives and the system demand is at its peak.

If a system is not well designed, maintained and operated, water is not efficiently applied to the irrigated crop. Irrigating crops on hillsides, which is often the case in San Diego County, is challenging and requires a properly designed and maintained irrigation system to uniformly deliver water to the crop.

Ongoing system maintenance is paramount as sprinklers or emitters can be plugged, blocked, or broken. Water lines can be compromised, and systems can suffer wear and tear over time due to physical forces. Considering that the irrigation system is the means to deliver water to the irrigated crop, it just makes sense to ensure that it is working correctly. Producing a healthy crop is why this is really important, but for most people the more important factor is the cost of water, which makes the irrigation system performance all the more important.

With the cost of water at an all time high, growers need to be absolutely positive they know how uniformly their water is being applied and utilized by the crop. Unnecessary usage of water at such high prices can undermine any bottom line, and with the typical costs of water in San Diego County, it is likely one if not the main cost of the operation.

By making sure irrigation system pressures are properly regulated, one can ensure sprinklers or emitters function properly. By making sure that the water flowing from like model sprinklers or emitters is more or less equal within a given irrigated area, one can ensure water is being applied evenly to the irrigated crop; this is known as uniformity.

Walking through the irrigated areas while the system is operating to look for and fix plugged, blocked, or broken sprinklers or emitters or irrigation lines is the best way to maintain the irrigation system uniformity. Once a person confirms their irrigation system is working correctly, they can begin to focus more on the other activities such as irrigation scheduling, crop fertilization, marketing, etc.

Mission Resource Conservation District provides a free irrigation audit program funded by the San Diego County Water Authority. This service can help residents use water as efficiently as possible and helps determine one’s irrigation system uniformity. Call (760) 728-1332 to request a free evaluation.