Overspray limitation

Background

Overspray occurs to some extent in most aboveground irrigation systems. Overspray on impervious surfaces, such as sidewalks, fences, or nearby buildings, wastes water through evaporation or runoff from these surfaces.

Requirements and certification

Application occurs in correct spray patterns, minimizing overspray on impervious surfaces.

Overspray prevention requires that all sprinklers/emitters are correctly spaced by design and that they are installed according to the correct design.

Variable-arc nozzles (VANs) or adjustable nozzles should be used only for irrigating unevenly shaped turf grass areas that cannot be irrigated with fixed-spray nozzles. The consistent use of a VAN in an irrigation system will likely result in significantly more overspray than what is typical for a fixed-spray nozzle.

Florida Water Star Inspectors are to conduct a visual inspection while the irrigation system is running.

Program tip

Some amount of drift is unavoidable in most irrigation systems. Windy conditions can affect irrigation application, and Inspectors should consider this during the inspection.