Patent ID: 7601266

Claim:
A method of substantially providing unrestricted flow of irrigation water through an irrigation network comprising water and discharge emitters and conduits that deliver irrigation water to the emitters, the emitters having small sized passageways susceptible to plugging, the method comprising the step of: admixing a biofilm reducing agent (BRA) and a mineral deposit distorting agent (MDDA) with the irrigation water, wherein the MDDA is selected from the group consisting of phosphonate compounds, phosphonic acid compounds, derivatives of phosphorus, blends of phosphonate phosphorus derivatives, and phosphonic acid compounds, citric acid, acetic acid, mineral acid and mixtures thereof; wherein the BRA is an oxidizer that substantially eliminates biofilm formation; wherein the MDDA causes mineral deposits to be amorphous; and wherein the BRA and the MDDA are admixed with the irrigation water in amounts sufficient to substantially eliminate biofilm formation in the emitters and produce amorphous mineral deposits in the emitters that are washed away by the irrigation water as it flows through the emitters, wherein plugging of the emitters is eliminated.