Starting your drip irrigation system for the first time: A step-by-step guide

Know More. Grow More.

By Matt Clift (Director of Global Product Management & Marketing)

Welcome to another article in our Know More, Grow More series. In 2023, we launched the Rivulis Drip Guide and Knowledge Hub. In this article, we will look at an important topic covered in detail in the Book 3 of the Drip Guide – System Start Up (first use).

In this article, I will provide a summary of the three key steps to take when starting your drip irrigation system for the first time: Flushing, Calibration, and Testing.

Step 1: Flushing

During installation, debris such as dirt and other debris may have entered the pipework. Flushing the system is an important step to ensure that these contaminants are expelled from the system.

Flushing Process:

Note: flushing must follow the order of mainlines, then submains, then laterals:

1. Mainline Flushing: Open the mainline flushing valves individually with submain valves closed. Flush until discharge water runs clear for three to five minutes. In large systems, you can use dye to confirm thorough flushing. Close the mainline flushing valves and check for pressure continuity to detect any leaks.
2. Submain Flushing: Open the submain valves and then the submain flushing valves individually. Flush until discharge water runs clear for three to five minutes. Close the submain flushing valves and perform a pressure and leak test. At this stage, you should back-flush filters, especially media filters.
3. Lateral Flushing: Open the control valve of the block with the ends of the drip laterals open. Flush until the discharge water at the end of each lateral runs clear. Important: If you are using a flushing manifold, do not connect it until after you have confirmed water being expelled from each drip lateral. After the flushing has been completed, you can then connect the lateral to the flushing manifold (keep the flushing manifold valve open).

For more information:?

• Start-up flushing process in Module 3 of the Rivulis Knowledge Hub.
• An in-depth explanation of flushing in Module 4 of the Rivulis Knowledge Hub.

Step 2: Calibration

Proper calibration of the valves ensures that your system is operating at the correct pressures according to the original system design.

Calibration Process:

1. Valve Adjustment: Start at the pump and working your way to the end of the system. Adjust valves to match the pressures stated in the hydraulic design.
2. Close the laterals: With the system now calibrated, you can close the lateral ends. Or if you are using a flushing manifold, you can close the flushing manifold valve

Step 3: Testing

As the name implies, with the system now ‘closed’, testing verifies that your system is functioning correctly and efficiently.

Testing Process:

1. Pressurize the System: Operate the system until it is fully pressurized and all air is discharged.
2. Leak Inspection: Check the entire system for leaks. Repair any leaks found and re-flush the affected areas afterward.
3. Record Initial Readings: Record initial readings on the flow meter to establish a baseline for future reference to check for clogs and leaks. Recheck the pressure to ensure it conforms to design calculations. Regularly perform these checks.

Testing ensures that your system is working to the original hydraulic design.

The Checklist

System verification needs to be comprehensive. To aid you in this process, we have developed a 55 item checklist to use to verify your drip irrigation system.

View the Drip Irrigation Commissioning Checklist (a US measurement version of the checklist follows the metric checklist on the page).?

For more information, I invite you to explore the full Rivulis Drip Guide series. Visit the Rivulis Knowledge Hub?to access comprehensive resources and ensure your drip irrigation system performs at its best.

Alternatively, PDFs of the Rivulis Drip Guides are available for direct download and are available in English, Spanish and Italian as follows:

• English: https://www.rivulis.com/knowledge-hub/
• Spanish: https://es.rivulis.com/knowledge-hub/
• Italian: https://it.rivulis.com/knowledge-hub/

Please note. This article is provided as a high level overview only. It is important that you verify what is best for your specific application, including for design, installation, operation, and maintenance. For both personal and irrigation system protection and before use, it is important to read the relevant suppliers’ instructions (for non-Rivulis products such as pumps, chemicals, fertilizers, etc), to consult with applicable professionals, and to read the relevant section of the Rivulis Drip Guide/Knowledge Hub, particularly with respect to safety and handling information, and more detailed instructions for use.

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