Existing Problem: 23 degree Impact Sprinklers on Risers, 30+ foot spacing, poor maintenance and uniformity.
The base system for this comparison is a solid set system (may be buried or portable), which has been in operation for a number of years. In these particular cases, sprinkler types may be mismatches and moved to different zones without regards to uniformity and pressure considerations. Some leaks and worn gaskets may be present depending upon the system age.

Water Conserving Practice: A System with a Proper Sprinkler Package, Spacing, Pressure, and Uniformity.

¹Potential No. of Irrigation Systems Affected	300
Estimated Water Savings (%)	10 (0 to 20)
²Average Year Water Savings (million gal.)	228
³Dry Year Water Savings (million gal.)	391
Est. Cost of Full Implementation on Avg. System ($, 1998)	$5,500
Statewide Costs for Full Implementation ($, 1998)	$1,650,000
Cost / Unit of Water Saved in Average Year ($, 1998 / million gal.)	$7,234

By improving the sprinkler package (new and matched sprinklers) to match the spacing, pressure and uniformity, the estimated water savings are in the range of 0 to 20 percent. Average potential water savings are about 10%. An estimated 300 systems fall into the category of benefitting from the above improvements. If these recommended changes were fully implemented, an estimated 228 million gallons of water would be saved in an average irrigation year. In a dry year, water savings may be near 391 million gallons.

The costs to make improvements will range from $600 (portable pipe) to $10,500 (buried) for an average potential cost of $5,500 per 40 acre system. The statewide costs for full implementation would be about $1.65 million for a cost/benefit ratio of $7,234 per million gallons saved in the first year.

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.