The system should run for awhile after injection of any chemical to remove residual chemicals. It is essential to winterize the system at the end of the cropping season by thoroughly draining all pipes and appurtenances. An air compressor may help blow out the residual water, especially from the above ground fixtures. Polyethylene tubes are flexible and won't break due to freeze. Cost A subsurface drip system may require higher initial investment and cost will vary due to water source, quality, filtration need, choice of material, soil characteristic and degree of automation desired.
Research consistently shows yield and quality of produce improves when a buried drip system is used.
Normal life expectancy of a system is considered to be 12 to 15 years. The system may remain buried in the ground for many years. Depending on the material and operation, some tubes are retrieved and reused. References For information on irrigation management and scheduling. The Water Balance Approach, 4.708, Irrigation Scheduling , 4.702, Trickle Irrigation for Home Gardens , and 4.703, Microirrigation for Orchard and Row Crops .