In the world of modern agriculture, drip irrigation has long since moved from innovation to expectation. It offers one of the most efficient ways to manage water and nutrient use, delivers remarkable yield consistency, and supports farming in even the most water-stressed regions. But across farms and fields worldwide, there’s a quiet problem playing out—often unnoticed until it’s too late. Systems stop delivering the same performance they did in year one. Pressure is irregular. Emitter flow drops. Crop variability creeps in. Yields falter. And the reason is rarely the system itself. The silent killer is poor maintenance.
What growers can’t see is what’s costing them most
Drip system failures are often gradual. Unlike a broken tractor, the signs of trouble are subtle. A slight variation in flow. A clogged emitter here or there. A filter that isn’t backflushing correctly.
But these small issues, left unresolved, can snowball into major yield losses over time.
The flip side is the positive impact of maintenance. A long-term study by Kansas State University found that drip systems with consistent maintenance had consistent flow and uniformity for over 27 seasons (26.5 years precisely).
The Big Nine: Core Maintenance Practices That Keep Systems Running Right
Based on years of field experience, system audits, and farmer feedback, Rivulis has identified nine key pressure points where maintenance makes the biggest difference.
1. Filtration
Poor filtration is the fastest way to clog emitters and reduce system life. Whether it’s media, screen, disc or hydrocyclone filters, every type needs a specific inspection and maintenance regime.
Even a small deviation in pressure differential across the filter can indicate a developing failure that may not be found until the crop suffers.
2. Operating Pressure
A small pressure change can dramatically affect emitter performance. Pressure changes can indicate emitter blockages or root intrusion if the pressure increases, or leaks if the pressure drops. The key is to measure the pressure compared to the original design specifications to spot variations early.
3. Flow Rate Monitoring
A drip system without flow monitoring is a system flying blind. A small reduction in flow may go unnoticed until yields fall. It is important to remember that a decreased flow means the plants are not getting the water they require as per the design. Conversely, an increase of flow is not a good thing, it often represents a leak.
4. Flushing
Even with clean water, silt and algae can accumulate in laterals and submains. If you’re not flushing regularly—with the right velocities—you’re building a clog that will be nearly impossible to remove later. Many growers flush too little, or with insufficient flow to be effective. Rivulis notes that when flushing, it is not just opening the drip irrigation line ends, it is about achieving sufficient water velocity to remove the debris. Submains require a flushing velocity of at least 0.5 m/s (1.5 ft/sec) and drip laterals at least 0.3 m/s (1 ft/ sec).
5. Chemical Treatment
Chemical treatment is necessary to avoid clogging of the drip lines by solids that precipitate and aggregate in the tubing, and organic matter that passes the filter and propagates inside the irrigation system. There are effectively two types of treatment– Acid treatment, used to dissolve mineral sediments, and oxidation Treatment (chlorine/peroxide), for oxidizing organic material, iron and manganese, prevention of algae formation, and elimination of sulfur bacteria.
Chemical treatment is very important, but it must be done right, and specific safety instructions must be adhered to. Furthermore, there are many considerations including acid types, chlorine vs hydrogen peroxide treatments, material sensitivity, and how to calculate concentrations and how much to inject. For this purpose, you will need to reference material on how to make these calculations, such as the Rivulis Knowledge Hub and Drip Guides (both available online at www.rivulis.com).
Crédit photo : Rivulis / valves management
6. Leakage and Clogging Prevention
Pressure and flow measurement reveal problems after they have occurred. It is better is to undertake preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of leakage and clogging in the first place.
Part of your maintenance regime should also consider active management to prevent dripper root intrusion, insect damage, rodent damage, soil ingestion, and precipitation (when dissolved salts combine and become non-soluable).
7. Fertigation Management
Using fertilizers that are not truly soluble, incompatible fertilizers, and poor injection timing are leading causes of emitter damage.
8. Pump and Water Source Maintenance
Your water source and your pump impact everything that follows. Open reservoirs require algae and sediment control. Pumps must be checked and maintained regularly.
9. Salinity Management
Salt doesn’t disappear, it builds up during each irrigation. Adding fertilizers can further increase salinity. Excess salt must be removed from the root zone before it increases to a level that seriously affects yield. Fortunately, there are many salt leaching techniques, ranging from consideration of where the drip laterals are placed, through to when and how long you irrigate for.
Final word: Maintenance is not a cost — it’s protection
Drip irrigation systems are only as good as the attention they receive after installation. What degrades system performance most isn’t age—it’s inattention.
Small oversights are what turn precision irrigation into a patchwork of inconsistency.
Field experience proves it, maintenance isn’t a chore—it’s the insurance policy for the system you invested in.
For growers seeking detailed, step-by-step guidance across all nine pressure points of maintenance, Rivulis offers open access to its complete technical resources through the Rivulis Knowledge Hub: www.rivulis.com/knowledge-hub
