---
title: "Short note: Problems of sprinklers"
subject: "Irrigation and Drainage Engineering"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering:sprinkler-problems-note"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering/sprinkler-problems-note
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Problems of sprinklers

Irrigation and Drainage Engineering · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2064 Kartik (old course), 4 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering/sprinkler-problems-note
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/irrigation_and_drainage_engineering/chapter-1

## Question

Write a short note on problems of sprinklers.

## Short answer

Wind drift lowers uniformity; high capital and energy costs; nozzles clog from silt/algea; evaporation losses; leaf wetting spreads disease and causes scorch with saline water; not suited to clay soils; poor design leaves dry spots; needs skilled maintenance and spare parts.

## Answer

Sprinkler irrigation, although efficient, has several practical problems.

1. **Wind:** wind drifts the spray, gives uneven distribution and reduces coverage; operation is difficult in strong wind.
2. **High cost:** pumps, pipes, sprinklers and energy raise initial and running costs; unaffordable for small farmers in Nepal.
3. **Energy and pressure:** needs adequate pressure; where electricity is poor or diesel is costly, running is difficult.
4. **Evaporation loss** from droplets in hot and dry weather.
5. **Clogging and wear of nozzles** due to silt, sand, or algae; need good filtration.
6. **Crop problems:** wetting of leaves may promote fungal disease and burn leaves if water is saline; flowers and fruit may be damaged.
7. **Unsuitable soil:** low-infiltration clay causes surface ponding and runoff.
8. **Uneven distribution** from overlapping and bad spacing; poor design can leave dry spots.
9. **Skills and maintenance:** lack of skilled operators and spare parts; shifting of portable lines takes labour and may damage crops.
10. **Damage to pipes** by animals, vehicles, sun, and theft.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. The effect of wind on sprinklers:
   A. Improves coverage
   B. None
   C. Drifts spray, giving uneven distribution
   D. Increases pressure
   Answer: C. Operation is hard in strong wind. (Key point: Wind)

2. Nozzles clog due to:
   A. Low temperature
   B. Too much pressure
   C. Very clean water
   D. Silt, sand or algae, so good filtration is needed
   Answer: D. Filtration is needed. (Key point: Clogging)

3. Wetting leaves may:
   A. Promote fungal disease and burn with saline water
   B. Reduce disease
   C. Increase salinity tolerance
   D. Protect from fungus
   Answer: A. Leaf wetting causes crop problems. (Key point: Crop problems)

4. Why are sprinklers poor on low-infiltration clay?
   A. Water drains too fast
   B. Surface ponding and runoff occur
   C. Pressure falls
   D. Wind is stronger
   Answer: B. Application rate exceeds intake. (Key point: Soil)