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 Good Gaskets (Portable Systems Only)

¹Potential No. of Irrigation Systems Affected	600
Estimated Water Savings (%)	5 (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)	$500
Statewide Costs for Full Implementation ($, 1998)	$300,000
Cost / Unit of Water Saved in Average Year ($, 1998 / million gal.)	$1,315

By repairing/replacing only the gaskets, the estimated water savings are in the range of 0 to 20 percent. Average potential water saving are about 5% since most systems are not losing as much water due to gasket problems. If these recommended changes were fully implemented on the 600 portable systems, 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 $500 per 40 acre system. The statewide costs for full implementation would be about $0.3 million for a cost/benefit ratio of $1,315 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.