Drip Irrigation Components

With the many different components that make up a drip irrigation system, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.

How it all works

Drip systems use emitters and flexible tubing to deliver water to plants. A smaller quarter-inch microtubing attaches to the main half-inch tubing and runs out to the individual plants. At the end of each length of microtubing is an emitter that regulates the water flow.

Drip irrigation systems are required to have both a filter and a pressure regulator and cannot flow at a rate of more than 20 gallons per hour per emitter.

Drip irrigation systems are ideal for desert plants because they apply water slowly and deeply to a plant's root zone, which allows dry desert soil time to absorb water that would otherwise evaporate or run off.

A drip system is composed of:

• Irrigation clock
• Backflow prevention device
• Electric control valve
• Filter
• Pressure regulator
• Pipe and tubing
• Emitter
• End/flush cap