Drip Design for Landscapes
The estimated water use form calculates a rough estimate of the water use by landscapes receiving drip irrigation. Use the second form to estimate how many emitters should be used for each plant. Learn more about the units used on this page.
Estimated Water Use Per Plant
This is a minimum. Rounding up, or putting more emitters per plant means that the system doesn't have to run all the time.
The Equations
These are the formulas used by the calculators to determine the estimated water use and number of emitters per plant.
Water Use Per Plant
Where:
= Water use per plant (gpd)
= Individual plant area (sq. ft)
= Plant type. An arbitrary value used to account for different plant types. (see table)
= Climate type. An arbitrary value used to account for different climate types. (see table)
Number of Emitters Per Plant
Where:
= Number of Emitters Per Plant
= Water use per plant from Estimated Water Use per Plant calculator
= Emitter flow rate (gpd)
Plant and Climate Type Values
| Plant Type () |
Value | Climate Type () |
Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trees | 1.1 | Cool Humid | 0.13 | |
| Shrubs | 0.9 | Cool Dry | 0.17 | |
| Ground Cover | 1 | Warm Humid | 0.18 | |
| Mixed | 1.1 | Warm Dry | 0.22 | |
| Turf Grass | 0.8 | Hot Humid | 0.25 | |
| Hot Dry | 0.33 |