Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages of Spray & Subsurface Drip Irrigation

  • Adds water, nutrients, and minerals to the soil, which promotes plant life
  • Demands less energy than other methods of sanitary sewage disposal
  • Protects nearby water sources from contamination
  • Provides nutrients for cover crops, which are used to restrict effluent runoff and can be harvested and sold
  • Recharges precious groundwater resources
  • Relieves local streams and rivers of the burden placed on them by the water discharged from treatment plants

Disadvantages of Spray & Subsurface Drip Irrigation

  • A large land area must be dedicated to spray or drip irrigation areas.
  • Driving vehicles over a subsurface drip irrigation system will likely damage piping.
  • Storage facilities for effluent must exist for extended periods of time when the ground for spray irrigation systems is wet or frozen.
  • Wind obstructions may be necessary with a spray irrigation system to prevent off-site air transportation of effluent.

For More Information

For more information about spray and subsurface drip irrigation disposal methods, please contact the Municipal Authority at (610) 458-9400.