CPH Irrigation and Water Management Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of a backflow preventer on a landscape irrigation system?

Answer: To prevent contaminated irrigation water from flowing back into the potable water supply

A backflow preventer stops potentially contaminated irrigation water from flowing backward into the potable water supply, protecting public health.

In irrigation, 'precipitation rate' is defined as:

Answer: The rate at which water is applied to a given area, typically measured in inches per hour

Precipitation rate is the amount of water applied to an area per unit of time (inches per hour), and matching rates across a zone ensures uniform coverage.

Which irrigation method is generally considered the most water-efficient for landscape and garden use?

Answer: Drip or micro-irrigation

Drip and micro-irrigation deliver water directly to the root zone with minimal evaporation and surface runoff, making them the most efficient delivery method.

In irrigation system evaluation, 'distribution uniformity' measures:

Answer: How evenly water is applied across the entire irrigated area

Distribution uniformity quantifies how evenly water is distributed across an irrigated area; higher values indicate more uniform application.

In irrigation scheduling, 'ET' (evapotranspiration) refers to:

Answer: The combined water loss from soil evaporation and plant transpiration

Evapotranspiration (ET) is the sum of water lost through soil evaporation and plant transpiration, and is used to calculate how much water to replace through irrigation.

The 'head-to-head' coverage principle in sprinkler system design specifies that:

Answer: Each sprinkler's throw radius must reach the adjacent sprinkler head

Head-to-head coverage means each sprinkler's radius reaches the neighboring head, providing 100% overlap and compensating for wind effects and pressure losses.