Football fields that are not artificial turf require copious amounts of water, and an efficient irrigation system to keep the grass in playable condition. There are dozens of factors to consider before installing a sprinkler system on a football pitch. This guide walks you through the factors that matter the most when setting up a football field sprinkler system. Let’s dive in to help you consider all crucial factors when setting sprinklers for a football field.
How much water does a football field need?
Considering a typical 6 month growing season in the Northeast as an example, a conservative estimate is approximately 1.5 million gallons of water in a single season. A grass football field will typically require at least an inch of water per week, or 60,000 gallons of water, according to the Sports Turf Managers Association.
In other climates, some fields could need 1 to 2 inches per acre, 1 to 3 times per week. This comes to roughly over 100,000 gallons of water per week.
How much does it cost to irrigate a football field?
The cost to irrigate a football field depends on the sprinkler system design, which depends on climate, field dimensions, and other factors. The largest portion of irrigation expenses is water, which varies depending on climate, soil, use of the field, and time of year. In addition to the amount of water that can vary, the price of water varies too.
According to the University of Tennessee, their costs to irrigate a football field field in 2005 were as follows:
- The field is irrigated 42 times each year from May through November.
- One-half inch of water is applied per irrigation event.
- About 756,000 gallons of water are applied to the field annually.
- Water is sold in 750-gallon increments at an average cost of $1.60 per 750 gallons.
- Seven-hundred-fifty-six-thousand gallons of water costs an estimated $1,612.80.
How do sprinklers work on football pitches?
Sprinkler systems will work differently based on the kind they are— whether they’re mobile or inground, automatic, semi automatic, or manual. Automatic and semi automatic systems use either a programmed schedule, soil moisture sensors, or a combination of both to control the irrigation system.
6 Types of Football Sprinkler Systems
The following are the most common types of football sprinkler systems.
1) Synthetic Turf Irrigation
Unlike natural grass football fields, artificial turf doesn’t require copious amounts of water to stay green and lush for the big game, which is one of its many benefits and what makes it a drought-tolerant surface that can stand up to hot climates like Arizona. However, artificial turf does need to be regularly sprayed with water to keep it clean and help keep fibers upright, as well as help keep it cool in hot climates. Water-Reel systems are a good option for synthetic turf irrigation:
- Condition, cool, and rinse turf football fields.
- Cheaper than in-ground irrigation systems.
- Reduce the risk of damaging the synthetic turf associated with broken in-ground lines.
Some producers like Kifco offer models specifically designed for synthetic turf irrigation.
2) Solid Set Football Field Irrigation
These are manually moved irrigation systems with impact sprinklers mounted on tripod stands or hoses. Solid set systems are inexpensive and are highly portable and flexible. However, they are labor and time-intensive, which might be a big issue during drought.
- Water supply: 7 GPM (minimum)
- Cost: $500 to $2,000. The cost varies depending on the number of hoses and pipes necessary as well as whether you need a pump.
- Pressure: At least 45 psi. 60 to 75 psi allows you to use different sprinklers and run distances.
- Mainline pipe: 1″ minimum for a maximum of two sprinklers. If you plan to use in-ground systems in the future, install at least 2″ mainline pipe.
3) Small Traveling Sprinkler
These systems work like solid set sprinklers, but the sprinkler is mounted on a tiny traveler. These systems are less labor-intensive, which reduces costs. The small traveling system also reduces the time to set up and move the sprinkler system.
The system drags a hose behind it and follows a wire. Irrigating the entire field takes three runs (each run takes about 3-4 hours).
- Water supply: 13 GPM (minimum). A larger sprinkler might need a maximum of 25 GPM.
- Cost: $2,000, including a hose and ancillary piping.
- Pressure: 65 psi (minimum). 75 psi (recommended) pressure, using a small booster pump.
Mainline pipe: 1.25″ (minimum). If you plan to use in-ground systems in the future, install at least 2″ mainline pipe. Use a 1″ hose to feed the system from a coupler valve on the mainline pipe.
4) Large Traveling Sprinkler
Large travelers comprise a drum wrapped with HDPE pipe on it. The sprinkler is mounted on a sled pulled with a utility cart. The drum revolves as the HDPE pipe winds around it to irrigate the specified area.
The water is delivered through a mainline to a hydrant, and a 1.5″ to 2″ hose feeds water to the system. Booster pumps can be fuel-driven and mounted on the traveler system.
Large travelers cover more ground per unit area than small traveler systems. The systems can irrigate a sports field in two runs and are highly portable.
- Water supply: At least 15 GPM. The ideal water supply lies between 25 and 30 GPM.
- Cost: About $7000 (smaller units) and $16,000 (larger units), including pumps and necessary piping.
- Pressure: 75 psi (minimum) with fuel-powered booster pumps usually installed on the traveler or at the water source.
- Mainline pipe: 2″ (minimum). If you use two or three units simultaneously, use 3″ mainlines.
5) In-Ground Football Irrigation Systems
They are the most expensive sprinkler systems but with the least labor requirement. These systems are not portable, and every field may need its own in-ground system.
These systems are highly automated. They leverage advanced control systems to schedule the perfect irrigation time based on weather conditions. You can remotely monitor and operate the in-ground systems, reducing time consumption and using the least water amount.
Apart from the control interface, all components are beneath the football field and nearly invisible.
- Water supply: Usually 55 GPM per field.
- Cost: The cost starts at $9,000 to a maximum of $15,000 per field minus water supplies and pumps, depending on the layout and field type
- Pressure: In-ground systems work best around 75 psi. Due to pressure losses in the piping network, you should supply the system with 85 psi to compensate for the pressure loss. You’ll need a booster pump.
- Mainline pipe: 2″ mainline is enough for one football field. Increase the pipe size and water supply if you are watering multiple fields.
6) Subsurface Drip Irrigation
With a subsurface drip irrigation system, also known as microirrigation, you install a pressure-regulated in-line emitter tubing in the root zone every 18 to 24″. This is a new way of irrigating sports turf under experimentation nationwide, and is already extensively used in agriculture. One of the many benefits of this system is water conservation, but it is the most expensive option since it’s the most sophisticated design.
Portable Vs. In-Ground Irrigation
Choosing a sprinkler system is about efficiency, water conservation, and convenience. Both in-ground and portable sprinkler systems promote lovely and green-looking football fields. But which is right for you?
Portable Sprinklers
Portable sprinklers connect to hoses and are available in numerous forms. Examples of portable sprinklers are:
- Rotating sprinklers
- Impact sprinklers
- Oscillating sprinklers
Portable sprinklers are generally cheaper upfront than in-ground sprinkler systems. You can also use them to irrigate any area of the field you choose.
However, portable sprinklers are time-consuming and tiresome to use. You must change locations periodically to prevent oversaturating some field areas or underwatering some sections. For this reason, you can easily waste water if you are not careful.
In-Ground Sprinklers
In-ground sprinkler systems typically have pipes, valves, moisture sensors, sprinklers, and water pumps. These systems require strategic planning to ensure you irrigate the entire field evenly.
Examples of in-ground systems are pop-up sprinklers that can be automated at a predefined time. The sprinklers are installed beneath the football pitch and pop up immediately after the valves on the water pipes open.
Unlike portable sprinklers, in-ground systems are less tiresome to use. That’s because they are in a fixed, strategic position, so you won’t have to move them around every now and then.
In-ground sprinklers with moisture sensors enable automatic irrigation. Hence, they require little human interaction. You can schedule the irrigation to spray the field with just enough water only when the soil has below standard moisture saturation. That way, you save water and time.
Unlike portable sprinklers that are cheap to buy, in-ground sprinklers are expensive upfront. However, you will spend less on maintenance.
Traveling Sprinklers Vs. Long Radius Sprinklers
Traveling sprinklers are semi-automatic systems that are powered hydraulically. These systems leverage water pressure from a hose to turn a series of gears that slowly turns the sprinkler’s wheels.
Traveling sprinklers are highly mobile and flexible with a low investment cost. However, you will need high water pressure to operate the unit. Plus, the sprinklers can easily cause runoff on the field.
Water-Reel Benefits
- Reduces on-field injuries since you won’t have to worry about in-ground heads in the field
- Low maintenance costs
- More affordable than in-ground systems
- Irrigates the football field in a single pass
On the other hand, long radius sprinklers can irrigate the field in shorter amounts of time than traveling sprinklers. Given their long radius, you can install these sprinklers along the field’s perimeter outside the turf or natural grass. Their long radius also reduces installation costs since you only need to install a few sprinkler heads and cover the same area as a traditional sprinkler layout.
4 Factors to Consider Before Setting Up a Football Field Sprinkler System
Before installing a sprinkler system, here are the most crucial factors to consider:
1) Natural Grass Vs. Artificial Turf Football Field Sprinklers
Natural grass requires intensive irrigation to keep the field in top condition for players and games. Natural grass requires approximately 1.5 million gallons of water in a season to maintain a lovely green look.
On the other hand, artificial turf football fields require less intensive irrigation to stay green and lush. They only need occasional spraying to remain clean and cool. In short, natural grass requires more water than turf. That means a turf football pitch needs less complex irrigation systems than a natural grass field.
2) Soil
The soil structure and texture greatly influence the soil’s water infiltration, permeability, and holding capacity. For example, soil with a compact structure has reduced water infiltration and percolation. This results in poor absorption, increased evaporation, and longer irrigation cycles, which translate to using more water.
Before setting up a football field sprinkler system, you need to know the soil’s texture, amount of moisture, and water holding capacity. That information will help you understand the correct water application rates, irrigation water management, and irrigation scheduling so that you use water beneficially on the field.
3) Climate
The sunlight and temperatures in an area influence evaporation and soil moisture content. Areas receiving sufficient rainfall throughout the year maintain adequate moisture in the soil. For this reason, such areas require little to no irrigation, reducing the complexity of the sprinkler system needed to maintain an evergreen pitch. If the rainfall is insufficient, the soil in the area may have inadequate moisture. In that case, you will need a more complex sprinkler system.
4) Cost
Costs vary depending on the design of the irrigation system and the amount of water the grass needs in its climate and soil conditions. Generally, the maximum cost for setting up a turf sprinkler system is lower than that of natural grass. That’s because turf requires less water and a less complex irrigation system than natural grass.
Turf Factory Direct Can Help You Reduce the Struggles of Sports Field Irrigation
Avoid the cost and struggle of irrigating a football field with a sprinkler system, and get a turf football field instead. Artificial turf needs little water to keep it clean and cool to the touch, unlike natural grass, which needs thousands of gallons and inches of water to stay green and soft.
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