Converting Spray Sprinklers to Drip Irrigation
Converting your planting beds from spray sprinklers to drip irrigation is one of the highest-impact water-saving upgrades a Southern California homeowner can make. It eliminates evaporation and overspray, reduces weeds, and often qualifies for rebates. Here's how the conversion works.
Why convert
Spray heads lose water to wind, evaporation, and runoff, and they water bare soil and weeds along with your plants. Drip delivers water slowly and precisely to the root zone — far more efficient for shrubs, perennials, and trees. The water savings are substantial.
The conversion process
The simplest method uses a retrofit approach on an existing spray zone:
- Cap or remove the spray heads on the bed's zone.
- Install a drip conversion fitting at one head location, which adds the needed pressure regulator and filter.
- Run 1/2-inch drip tubing through the bed and add emitters at each plant.
- Flush the line, cap the ends, and cover with mulch.
Match emitters to plants
Give larger plants more emitters or higher-flow ones, and smaller plants less. Group plants of similar needs on the same line. Mulch over the tubing protects it and boosts efficiency even further.
Don't mix drip and spray
Keep drip and spray on separate valves — they run at different pressures and durations. Converting a whole spray zone to drip at once keeps things simple and efficient.
Rebates and help
Many water districts offer rebates for drip conversions. Our water management team can convert your beds and help you capture available rebates.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert my existing sprinklers to drip?
Yes — retrofit fittings let you convert a spray zone to drip using the existing valve and supply line.
How much water does converting to drip save?
Switching beds from spray to drip can cut their water use significantly by eliminating evaporation and overspray.
Arbol Roble has cared for Inland Empire landscapes since 1997, serving Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, Eastvale, Corona and Riverside. Request a free quote or browse our residential and commercial services.
About the Author
The Arbol Roble team are licensed landscaping and irrigation professionals (CSLB License #1077455) serving Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, Eastvale, Corona, Riverside, and the greater Inland Empire.