Supply pipes are buried and sprinklers operate above the crop. Depending on crop and sprinkler type, the sprinklers are usually 6 to 12 metres apart and riser pipes from 15 to 25 millimetres in diameter. System design requires expert assistance. A poorly designed system is expensive to alter, may result in excessive pumping costs and give wrong watering patterns. Fixed sprinkler irrigation systems are efficient and require little labour, but are expensive to install.
Labour costs are additional.
The small sprinklers and microjets operate a few centimetres above ground level and the dripper lines are laid on the soil. This system is ideal for orchards, and selected vegetable and flower crops. It is well suited to the home garden and orchard, or small commercial operation. Micro-irrigation systems are easy to install, need some expertise to design, are not affected by wind and are very efficient. They can be readily automated.