Mike Garcia of Enviroscape L.A. presents an update on how he's integrated drip irrigation into his business, and how landscapers across the country can take advantage of this product category.

1. Drip Irrigation Overview
Christine Canepa
Sr. Product Manager
Rain Bird Corporation

2. Drip Irrigation Overview
Trends / Drivers for Growth
 Types
 Differences vs. Conventional Irrigation
 Benefits


3. Drip Irrigation Trends / Drivers


Record drought
Water restrictions, increased
regulation


Drip is often exempt from
restrictions
The need for efficiency is
driving the growth in drip
irrigation

4. Types of Drip Irrigation

Point-Source



Common in sparse
planting
configurations
Allow you to put
water near the
plant’s root zone
Dripline

Ideal for densely
planted or narrow
areas

5. Differences vs. Conventional Irrigation

Device flow rates are measured in GPH vs. GPM

Low flow rate equates to reduced erosion and runoff

Low flow rate means more emission devices per valve

Operating pressure window is typically 15-50 psi

Water is typically filtered to 120-200 mesh

Both PVC and/or polyethylene drip tubing may be used
Keys to a Well Designed Drip System

Pressure Regulation
–

Drip zones operate at lower pressures than traditional spray zones
Filtration
–
Necessary to keep emitters clear of dirt and debris

6. Benefits of Drip Irrigation

Highly customizable

Healthier landscapes
–

Eliminates run-off ,
overspray and expensive
damage to hardscapes
–
–

Staining – concrete, pavers and
walls
Rotting of wood fences, decks and
planters
Shorter irrigation run times
–

Puts water closer to the root zone
Lower irrigation water bills
Makes the customer a
better steward of the
environment

7. Drip Irrigation
Mike Garcia
Enviroscapes LA

8. Benefits of Drip Irrigation

Match the water
application rate to each
plant.

Match the application rate
to the soil’s infiltration
rate.

Apply water directly to the
root zone to reduce
overspray and
evaporation.

Properly designed and
installed dripline systems
can be over 90% efficient.

9. Why use Drip Irrigation?
Asphalt Damage
Blockage from Foliage
W
ater Spots on Vehicles
Liability to Pedestrians & Vehicles

10. Stained Fences, Walls and Windows

11. Sprays
to
Drip
Before Photo
After Photo
2 minutes Elapsed
15 minutes Elapsed

12. Differences vs. Conventional Irrigation

Device flow rates are measured in GPH vs. GPM
 Low flow rate equates to reduced erosion and runoff
 Low flow rate means more emission devices per valve

Operating pressure window is typically 15-50 psi

Water is typically filtered to 120-200 mesh

Both PVC and/or polyethylene drip tubing may be used

13. Applications – Sparse Plantings
Sparse Plantings

Medians

Narrow planting beds

High traffic areas

Slopes
Point Source:

Watering of specific plants

Emitters (single and multiple outlet)

PC Modules / Bubblers
3’ to 5’

14. Applications – Dense Plantings
Dense Plantings

Narrow planting beds

Medians

Slopes
Total Coverage/Broadcast:

100% Coverage is required

Micro-Sprays

Dripline

15. Basic Drip System Components
Control Zone
Components
Distribution
Components
Tools
Emission
Devices

16. Control Zone Kits

17. Landscape Drip Conversion Guide

18. 1800-Retro Kit

The 1800 Retro has a built-in filter
and regulator, everything you need
for a good drip installation

Convert 1804, 1806, and 1812 spray
head zones
30 PSI Regulator
200 Mesh Screen

19. Remove the sprayhead
Attach the fitting & tubing
Drop in the 1800-RETRO
Cap off the remaining sprayheads

20. Distribution Components
Drip Laterals
PVC Pipe
XBS (Blank Tubing)
XT-700
XF-Blank
XQ ¼” Distribution Tubing
Inline Emitter Tubing
XF Dripline
¼” Landscape Dripline
Drip Fittings
Insert Fittings (Barb)
17 mm
XF Dripline
Easy Fit Compression
W
orks with all ½ ” drip tubing sizes
Half the force required to insert tubing
Takes the place of 160 fitting parts

21. XFF Insert Fittings

22. XQ ¼” Distribution Tubing





Unique blend of polymers
that give it the flexibility of
vinyl with hold of poly.
New textured finish
improves handling.
Self extracting coiling
feature makes it easy to
use, store and eliminates
waste.
Patent Pending XQ Bucket
makes using and storing
large coils easy and
efficient.
Available in 100’, 250’ &
1,000’ coils

23. Emission Devices
XB Emitters
Multi-Outlet
XB with Barb inlet
XM-TOOL
XB- 6 outlet
¼” Barb inlet
½” FPT inlet
XB with 1032 inlet
XBT with ½” inlet
XBD-80
PC Modules
PC module with barb inlet
PC Module with 1032 inlet
EMT-6 XERI
PC Diffuser Caps

24. New – PCT
(Pressure Compensating Threaded Bubbler)
List Price
$ 2.12
Bag Quantity
20
Box Quantity
100

25. Xeri-Bubblers, Xeri-Sprays & SQ Nozzles
Adjustable
Umbrella Bubblers
Adjustable Stream
Pattern Bubblers
Adjustable
Micro Sprays
SQ Pressure
Compensating
Micro Spray
Quarter Half
Umbrella pattern
Three inlet choices
- 10-32 Thread
- 1/4” Barb
- 5” Spyk
Flow: 0 to 35 GPH
Radius: 0 to 2’
Full
180 & 360
Stream Patterns
Three inlet choices
- 10-32 Thread
- 1/4” Barb
-- 5” Spyk
Flow: 0 to 13 GPH
Radius: 0 to 2’
Square Pattern
2.5’ to 4’
Quarter Half
Full
Flow: 0 to 31 GPH
Radius: 0 to 10’
Install on:
1800 or
Unispray
Xeri-Pop
Poly Flex Riser
Sch 80 Riser

26. ¼” Landscape Drip Line




6" and 12“ spacing
100‘ coil lengths
10 to 40 psi operating range
Flow Rate: 0.8 GPH at 30 psi

27. XF Series Dripline
Tubing with PC emitters Pre-Inserted
XFD Dripline = On Surface Drip Irrigation
Tubing Color:
Brown
Emitter Spacing:
12” / 18” / 24”
Emitter Flow Rate:
0.6 GPH / 0.9 GPH
Coil length offering: 100’ / 250’ / 500’
XFS Dripline = Subsurface Drip Irrigation
Tubing Color:
Copper
Emitter Spacing:
12” / 18” / 24”
Emitter Flow Rate:
0.6 GPH / 0.9 GPH
Coil length offering: 100’ / 500’

28. XFD Dripline (On Surface)
W
here is it used?
Street Medians
Hotels/
Resorts
Residential
Planter Beds

29. XFS Subsurface Dripline

30. XFS Sub-Surface Drip Applications





Parkway / Narrow Strips
Confined areas
Next to Buildings /
Hardscapes
Parking Lots / Car
Dealerships
Athletic Fields / Schools
5

32. Components for the Xeri-Pop Operation Indicator







XP-600X with VAN
Nozzle
XBF1CONN
6” to 12” of XQ ¼”
distribution tubing.
Xeriman™ tool
Suitable for both on-surface and sub-surface applications.
Indicator is installed on the exhaust header.
If the indicator does not pop-up and seat – you should look for the
following:
 Did the valve not open?
 Does the filter need to be cleaned?
 Is there a break in the dripline?
 Did the main valve open?

33. Development and Testing
Over 10 years Research and
Development for Copper
Shield™ Solution
Product Testing
Rain Bird R&D Laboratory
Testing
Cal-Poly Tech – Pomona
Site Testing
Engineering Field Testing
Production Field Testing
All Geographies, Climate,
Turf & Soil Types
13

34. Leading Competitor
showing root growth
throughout water
bath
Rain Bird & leading competitor emitters on the same test plate. They were in the same environment
and there clearly is a difference in the effectiveness of the root intrusion methods
RB emitter- root shown
in water bath, but clearly
away from outlet hole
due to Copper Shield™
14

35. How do I select the correct dripline?

36. How do I determine application rate?

37. How far can I run XF-SDI dripline?

38. 560’
End Feed
560’
560’
Center Feed

39. GPH/GPM flow per 100’
Example: 650’ of XFD-06-12
650’ /100 = 6.5
6.5 x 1.02 GPM = 6.63 GPM
Use XCZ-100-PRF

40. Quick Layout
Curved Edge Layout
Branching or Joining Rows

41. Tie Down Stakes

Allow for expansion and
contraction of drip tubing

0.1 inch per 100’ for
every 1 degree F of
temperature change

Example: 260’ tubing
length and 40 degrees
temp change

2.6 (100’ length) x 0.1
(in/100’) x 40
(degrees F) = 10.4”

42. Flushing the system



Flush the system
every two weeks for
the first 6 weeks and
check the water that
is flushed out for
cleanliness.
Establish a regular
flushing schedule for
the future after the
initial checks.
Flush the system well
after any repairs are
made.

43. Flushing the system

44. Overview

All irrigation systems require maintenance

Spray systems tend to be more forgiving than
drip

Maintenance should be regular and consistent

Drip maintenance might be harder to detect
problems

45. Enviroscape Installation
Photos
South Bay Area,
Southern California

46. Job site installation Photos

47. Installing the Supply Header

48. Installing the Supply Header

49. Installing the Supply Header

50. Job site installation photos

51. Job site installation photos

52. Job site installation photos

53. Job site installation photos

54. Job site installation photos

55. Job site installation photos

56. Job site installation photos

57. Job site installation photos

58. Job site installation photos

59. Job site installation photos

60. Thank you - Any Questions