Existing Problem: 23 degree impact sprinklers on risers, 30+ foot spacing, poor maintenance and uniformity (portable systems only).
The base system for this comparison is a solid set system which has been in operation for a number of years, but applies to only the 700 buried solid set systems in Georgia. Many of the existing buried systems fall into the "older" category and could benefit from repair and replacement of pipe and fittings.

Water Conserving Practice: System with Repaired Leaks (Buried Systems Only)

¹Potential No. of Irrigation Systems Affected	150
Estimated Water Savings (%)	10 (0 to 20)
²Average Year Water Savings (million gal.)	114
³Dry Year Water Savings (million gal.)	195
Est. Cost of Full Implementation on Avg. System ($, 1998)	$4,000
Statewide Costs for Full Implementation ($, 1998)	$600,000
Cost / Unit of Water Saved in Average Year ($, 1998 / million gal.)	$5,261

By repairing leaks, the estimated water savings are in the range of 0 to 20 percent. Average potential water savings are about 10%. An estimated 150 systems would benefit from leak repair in this category. If these recommended changes were fully implemented an estimated 114 million gallons of water would be saved in an average irrigation year. In a dry year, water savings may be near 195 million gallons.

The costs to make improvements will be about $4,000 on an aaverage 40 acre system. The statewide costs for full implementation would be about $0.6 million for a cost/benefit ratio of $5,261 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.