Why You Should Consider Adding
Drip Irrigation to Your Service Menu
“Drop by drop is the water pot filled.” – The Buddha
Did you know…
- The market for drip irrigation systems was valued at $4.8 billion in 2023.
- The drip irrigation market is projected to reach $14.8 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.77%.
- The residential sector holds a significant share of that market.
If your irrigation business does not currently include drip irrigation design, installation, and maintenance, maybe it should. Drip systems provide low-pressure, precise results by delivering water directly to root zones and are also ideal for accurately irrigating slopes and oddly shaped areas.
“We Are Smart Irrigation”
The theme for Smart Irrigation Month 2025 is “We Are Smart Irrigation.”
It’s time for irrigation professionals to raise awareness about how smart irrigation products, technologies, and practices positively impact our communities.
Here’s how you can help:
- Promote Smart Irrigation Month on social media.
- Add the Smart Irrigation Month logo to marketing and business materials.
- Submit a Smart Irrigation Month press release to local media.
- Petition your city or state government officials to proclaim July as Smart Irrigation Month.
By helping customers understand the importance of water conservation and sustainability, we can make a difference.
As if that weren’t enough, according to the EPA, drip irrigation uses 20% to 50% less water than conventional sprinkler systems. Promoting the advantages of drip systems to your customers is a great way to support Smart Irrigation Month. (See sidebar, “We Are Smart Irrigation.”)
Drip Irrigation Basics
Unlike sprinkler systems that deliver gallons of water per minute, drip irrigation slowly and steadily delivers gallons of water per hour directly to plant roots, minimizing runoff and evaporation. As a result, less water is required.
A drip system consists of the following essential components:
- Water valve
- Pressure regulator
- Filter
- Tubing adapter
- Dripline (PVC or polyethylene tubing)
- Emitters
- Electronic controller
- Backflow preventer
Numerous lateral lines for a drip irrigation system can be attached through various headers. Each line is fitted with water-dispersing emitters, which can then be buried or covered with mulch, gravel, or stone (to protect from rodent damage).
Point Source vs. Inline Drip Irrigation
Individual emitters can be placed at specific locations along the drip line (point source irrigation), or you can purchase lines with pre-installed emitters spaced at regular intervals (inline drip irrigation).
Point source irrigation allows for targeted watering, while inline irrigation delivers water uniformly along the entire length of the drip tube.
Because emitter output rates vary from a half gallon to two gallons per hour, choosing the correct emitter is critical. Fortunately, emitters with different output rates may be installed on a single dripline, allowing irrigation of plants with distinct watering needs that are located closely together.
You could also opt for adjustable emitters that allow you to regulate the water flow rate from a steady drip to a slow stream. Experts suggest spacing the emitters about 12 inches apart with 18 inches between lines to achieve a precipitation rate of about 1 inch per hour.
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Multiple Applications
Drip irrigation systems are mainly used for watering flower beds, gardens, and unusually small or unique landscape areas. They’re ideal for xeriscapes and particularly well-suited in applications where low water pressure and flow are all that’s available.
But they can also provide supplemental irrigation to areas already incorporated into sprinkler zones. In addition, drip systems can be used to irrigate both new and established lawns. For a new lawn, simply install the dripline before sodding or planting grass seed. With an established lawn, the drip line is trenched into the turf.
Drip System Maintenance
Drip systems are generally easier to maintain than conventional sprinkler systems because the emitters and dripline aren’t deeply buried. However, identifying needed repairs can be trickier. While broken sprinkler heads are easily pinpointed, with a drip system, you must look for browning or wilted vegetation.
Selling It
Hands-on gardening buffs are particularly good candidates for a drip irrigation system, which allows them to care for their landscape plants in their own way.
But drip systems offer multiple benefits to all your customers. Specifically:
Better plant health. Water penetrates slowly and deeply into the soil, placing moisture precisely at the roots where it’s needed. Plants proliferate when irrigated uniformly without stress created by water deprivation.
Less waste. A sound drip system directs 90% of the water into the soil with little evaporation loss.
Environmental benefits. Drip irrigation produces less erosion and minimal risk of runoff landing in area streams and rivers.
Reduced plant disease. By keeping foliage dry, drip irrigation reduces the incidence of diseases such as powdery mildew that thrive in damp conditions.
Reduced water damage. Drip systems virtually eliminate the risk of “sunburn” that can sometimes result from aerial watering.
Weed control. Drip irrigation systems place water directly around the plant, limiting weed germination.
Incorporating a flow meter in the system addresses this issue. The sensor will notify the controller of any flow irregularities and send an alert to the homeowner’s smartphone. Wireless flow meters are both inexpensive and easy to install.
Drip irrigation systems should be checked at least three times a year, depending on location and water source, to ensure proper operation.
Like conventional sprinkler systems, drip systems must be winterized. When blowing out the lines, carefully gauge the air pressure to keep the emitters from popping off. It’s also a good idea to store the backflow preventer indoors for the winter.
Inspect all components for cracks and splits before spring start-up.
Expanding Market
Climate experts predict that drier days are ahead for most of the country, increasing the popularity of drip systems.
Due to their greater efficiency, homeowners with drip systems may be exempt from water restrictions during droughts. In addition, the initial expense of a drip system is eventually offset by the cost of water savings.
Drip irrigation represents an expanding market and is worth adding to your menu of services.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re ready to learn more about designing and installing drip systems, Udemy offers the following online courses:
Drip Irrigation System – Design, Installation and Maintenance Advanced Drip Irrigation – Field Installations
Sources:
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