Existing Problem: Old traveler irrigation system without speed compensation.

Old Traveler Irrigation System The typical hard hose traveler irrigation system has a 1,000 ft hose and is operated at 80 psi at the gun. Many older systems do not have speed compensation. As the hose is wound unto the reel, the effective diameter of the reel changes, thus changing the travel speed of the gun. Most systems are managed to apply the target irrigation amount at the "faster" speed in the cycle. At the slower speed, up to 30 percent more water is applied, thus wasting 10% on average.

Water Conserving Practice: Add Speed Compensation

Adding a speed compensation would involve retrofitting with a small, 3-5 hp, gasoline or diesel engine and subsequent modifications to the drive train (gears, sprockets, and pulleys).

¹Potential No. of Irrigation Systems Affected	1300
Estimated Water Savings (%)	10 (0 to 30)
²Average Year Water Savings (million gal.)	2100
³Dry Year Water Savings (million gal.)	3600
Est. Cost of Full Implementation on Avg. System ($, 1998)	$5,000
Statewide Costs for Full Implementation ($, 1998)	$6,500,000
Cost / Unit of Water Saved in Average Year ($, 1998 / million gal.)	$3095

The average cost of a speed compensation retrofit is about $5,000 and would result in an average water savings of about 10%.

An estimated 1,300 hard hose traveler irrigation systems would benefit from the addition of speed compensation. If fully implemented, the statewide water savings would be 2,100 million gallons per year. In a dry year, statewide water savings would approach about 3600 million gallons. The estimated cost for full implementation is about $6.5 million with a water savings benefit ratio of about $3,095/million gallons.

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.