CIT Hydraulics & Water Management 3

Question 1

The 'precipitation rate' of an irrigation zone should ideally be matched to:

Accepted Answer

The soil's infiltration rate to prevent runoff and ensure efficient water absorption

Answer

The water meter size

Answer

The controller's number of programs

Answer

The color of the sprinkler heads

Question 2

What is 'deep percolation' and why is it a concern in irrigation management?

Accepted Answer

Water moving below the plant root zone where it cannot be accessed by roots, representing wasted irrigation water

Answer

Water flowing sideways through pipe joints

Answer

Water evaporating from the soil surface

Answer

Water flowing upward through capillary action

Question 3

A hydraulic analysis of an irrigation system reveals that the system demands 25 GPM but the water supply can only deliver 18 GPM at adequate pressure. What is the best solution?

Accepted Answer

Split the system into additional zones so each zone's demand is within the available 18 GPM capacity

Answer

Run all sprinklers at reduced pressure

Answer

Install larger sprinkler heads to compensate

Answer

Increase the pipe size on the supply side to create more water

Question 4

What is the relationship between water velocity, pipe diameter, and flow rate as described by the continuity equation?

Accepted Answer

Flow rate equals the cross-sectional area of the pipe multiplied by the water velocity — so for a given flow rate, smaller pipes have higher velocity

Answer

Velocity is unrelated to pipe diameter

Answer

Larger pipes always have higher velocity

Answer

Flow rate only depends on pressure, not pipe size

Question 5

ET (evapotranspiration) for a specific plant in the landscape is calculated by multiplying the reference ET (ETo) by:

Accepted Answer

The crop coefficient (Kc) or landscape coefficient (KL) specific to that plant type

Answer

The soil pH

Answer

The water meter reading

Answer

The pipe diameter

Question 6

What is the purpose of an air/vacuum relief valve on an irrigation mainline?

Accepted Answer

To allow air to enter and exit the pipe during filling and draining, preventing vacuum conditions and air lock

Answer

To increase water pressure

Answer

To filter debris from the water

Answer

To regulate the flow rate