Existing Problem: Old Drip System with No Pressure Control, Pressure Compensating or Consistent Schedule
The base system is an orchard drip irrigation system with buried emitters (most systems of this type in Georgia are on pecans). The system has little or no pressure control and non-pressure compensating emitters. There are currently 800 systems in Georgia similar to this description. Most systems do not have a water meter to monitor system performance and some may be poorly maintained.

Water Conserving Practice: A system which is better maintained, scheduling is used, water meter installed, records maintained, and clogged emitters repaired.

Drip Meter The proposed system change would include installation of a water meter, and implementing a regular maintenance program to include repairing leaks, replacing or cleaning clogged emitters and maintaining adequate system records.

¹Potential No. of Irrigation Systems Affected	900
Estimated Water Savings (%)	-2.5 (-10 to 5)
²Average Year Water Savings (million gal.)	-299
³Dry Year Water Savings (million gal.)	-513
Est. Cost of Full Implementation on Avg. System ($, 1998)	$6,000
Statewide Costs for Full Implementation ($, 1998)	$5,400,000
Cost / Unit of Water Saved in Average Year ($, 1998 / million gal.)	-$18,039

These changes will result in a water savings of between -10 and +5 percent, meaning that improving system maintenance may actually result in increased water use. This can be explained by the fact that one of the common maintenance problems with drip systems is emitter clogging. Therefore, unless the farmer is aware that the system is partially clogged and adjusts his operating time accordingly, fixing clogged emitters will result in increased water use.

Even though this is a recommended practice that is in the farmer's best interest and will result in better use of water resources, it may not result in a net water savings.

Source: Evans, R.O., K.A. Harrison, J.E. Hook, C.V. Privette, W.I. Segars, W.B. Smith, D.L. Thomas, and A.W. Tyson. 1998. Irrigation conservation practices appropriate for the Southeastern United States. D.L. Thomas (ed.) Geologic Survey Project Report No. 32. Georgia Geologic Survey, Georgia Department Of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, Atlanta, GA 30334. 43p.