How to Perform a Catch Can Irrigation Audit

on a Home Lawn Sprinkler System

Guide H-510
Cheryl Kent and Bernd Leinauer1

Cooperative Extension Service • College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

INTRODUCTION
The natural precipitation in New Mexico is not sufficient to
grow and sustain turfgrasses and most other landscape plants.
Therefore, supplemental irrigation is necessary to maintain
turf at an acceptable quality level. Pop-up sprinklers are com-
monly used to irrigate lawn areas. Understanding the precipi-
tation rate and uniformity of the sprinkler system will allow
correct irrigation scheduling for more efficient irrigation and
water savings. The step-by-step instructions outlined in this
guide will help you perform a catch can irrigation audit on
a pop-up sprinkler system. For a complete discussion on all
aspects of turfgrass irrigation, refer to NMSU Circular 660,
Turfgrass Irrigation (available at http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/
_circulars/CR660.pdf ).

Figure 1. Calibrated catch can, measuring tape, metal

PREPARING FOR THE AUDIT support stake, and graduated cylinder.
1. Visually inspect your system for obvious problems.
In many cases, an initial visual inspection can detect obvi-
ous problems that can be corrected, which will greatly PERFORMING THE AUDIT
improve the performance of the irrigation system. Turn on If possible, perform the audit at the same time of day that
the system and watch it run. Are there broken sprinklers irrigation normally takes place. Choose a calm day (winds
or obvious adjustments needed (heads not popping up all less than or equal to 5 mph). Use catch cans to collect and
the way, clogged heads, or heads pointing in the wrong measure the water delivered by the irrigation system. Catch
direction with water falling on the sidewalk instead of cans are receptacles of uniform size placed on the lawn area
the lawn)? Are there obstructions preventing water from (Figure 1). A minimum of 24 catch cans are needed for reli-
reaching the intended target (tree trunks, overgrown grass, able results. Calibrated containers may be purchased from an
weeds, or overhanging shrubs)? irrigation supply store (Figure 2).

2. Fix problems. Repair problems before proceeding further. The “Tuna Can” Audit
If necessary, consult with a landscape contractor. Food cans, such as tuna, cat food, or coffee cans, may be used
as catch cans. However, they are hard to level, and most will
3. Map out the sprinkler heads. Locate all sprinkler heads need small rocks inside to keep them on the ground and lev-
and note the type and model. Sketch a map of the area and eled. After running sprinklers for a set amount of time, sim-
assign a number to each head on the map. Record the dis- ply measure the depth of water in the cans with a ruler after
tance between heads and mark this on the map. For lawns removing any rocks used for leveling. This sort of “tuna can”
with multiple irrigation zones, indicate which heads are in audit will not be as accurate as using calibrated containers,
which irrigation zone. but valuable information can still be obtained.

1
Respectively, Extension Agricultural/Horticulture Agent, Bernalillo County Extension Office; and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Department of Extension Plant
Sciences, New Mexico State University.

To find more resources for your business, home, or family, visit the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental
Sciences on the World Wide Web at aces.nmsu.edu
 4. Measure the surface area of the catch can (Figure 3).
Express the answer in in2. If a round container is used, the
surface area (A) is equal to the radius of the container open-
ing squared multiplied by π.

Formula for the area of a circle: A = π r2

Example: π = 3.1416; r = 2.25 in
A = 3.1416 x 2.252 = 15.9 in2

5. Place catch cans (Table 1, Figure 4).

• Example 1: For two sprinkler heads that are 30 ft apart,

place a catch can 2 ft away from each sprinkler head.
The distance between the catch cans is 26 ft. Divide 26
by 3, which is 8.7 ft, or one-third the distance between
Figure 2. If graduated catch cans are used for irrigation catch cans. Place a catch can at 10.7 ft and at 19.4 ft
audit, the graduated cylinder from Figure 1 is not needed (total of four equally spaced catch cans). See Figures 5
and the volume may be read directly from the catch can. and 6.

• Example 2: For two heads that are 50 ft apart, place a

catch can 2 ft away from each head. The distance be
tween catch cans is 46 ft. Divide 46 by 4, which is
11.5 ft, or one-fourth the distance. Place catch cans at
13.5 ft, 25 ft, and 36.5 ft (total of five equally spaced
Radius catch cans).

6. Run irrigation system for set amount of time. Prefer-

ably, use the runtime commonly used to irrigate the turf
area (10 minutes, for example). Caution! Do not perform
the audit on a windy day (less than 5 mph wind is rec-
ommended). During inspection, if significant overspray
between zones is an issue, audit the two adjacent zones at
the same time by setting catch cans out in both zones and
Figure 3. Sketch of catch can. Black area is the surface area allowing each zone to run for the same amount of time
(A) of the catch can. before collecting data from the catch cans.

7. Measure the volume in milliliters (mL) in

each container. Use a graduated cylinder or measuring cup
and record volumes on a data sheet. Some catch cans avail-
able for purchase may have the graduation for mL or inches
already on them.

PERFORMING THE CALCULATIONS

8. Once the data are collected, calculate the average
volume of water in each container.

• Example: Volume in mL for 24 catch cans:

13, 35, 40, 29, 39, 41, 45, 45, 30, 35, 47, 35, 79,
79, 50, 35, 17, 22, 28, 46, 67, 78, 42, 53
Sum = 1030 mL
Average = 1030 mL/24 = 42.9
Figure 4. Catch cans placed in a grid pattern on a home
lawn.

Guide H-510 • Page 2

Table 1. Quick Reference for Placing Catch Cans Properly*
Sprinkler Design Catch Can Placement
Fixed spray heads in irregularly shaped areas (sprinklers are not in defined rows; Place the catch cans out in a rough grid pattern 5 to 8 ft apart within
this applies to most homeowners). See Figure 6. one zone. Repeat for each zone. See Figure 6.
Fixed spray heads that are in defined, evenly spaced rows. Place catch cans in a rough grid pattern 10 to 20 ft apart. Repeat for
each zone.
Rotor sprinklers in irregularly shaped areas Place catch cans in a rough grid pattern 10 to 20 ft apart.
Rotor sprinklers that are in defined rows but less than 40 ft apart. This very Place a catch can 2 to 3 ft from the sprinkler head and then place
likely only applies to parks, fairways, and large backyards for which you have several another catch can every one-third the distance to the next sprinkler
irrigated zones of only turf. head. Use this spacing for the grid pattern (see Example 1).
Rotor sprinklers in defined rows greater than 40 ft apart. This very likely only Place a catch can 2 to 3 ft from the sprinkler head and then place
applies to parks, fairways, and large backyards for which you have several irrigated another catch can every one-fourth the distance to the next sprinkler
zones of only turf. Use this spacing to form a grid pattern (see Example 2).
* For all arrangements, catch cans should be at least 12 to 24 inches from the edge of the lawn.

9. Calculate the irrigation amount (Ia). The irrigation

amount is equal to the average volume of water (mL)
divided by the catch can surface area A (in2, calculated in
Step 4): Ia = Avg (mL) / A (in2)

• Example: 42.9 mL / 15.9 in2 (from Step 4) = 2.7 mL/in2

10. Convert the irrigation amount from Step 9

to inches. To convert Ia from mL/in2 to inches, multiply
the result by 0.06. This gives you the average amount
of water applied to the lawn per unit of time (Example:
2.7 mL/in2 x 0.06 = 0.2 inch rounded up to the nearest
1/10 inch). This means the irrigation system precipitated
0.2 inch of water on average in the allotted runtime. The
number is useful for an overall Ia, but it does not tell you
Figure 5. Sketch of approximate catch can locations for Ex- how uniformly the water is applied.
ample 1. The same configuration can be used for Example 2,
but the spacing between catch cans would change. 11. In order to determine how uniformly the sprinklers ir-
rigate, arrange the catch can data from smallest to largest.
Calculate the average volume of the lowest quarter
(25% of the catch cans that collected the lowest
= sprinkler head = catch can
amount of precipitation). If you used 24 catch cans for
your irrigation audit, you need the average volume of the
six cans that collected the least amount. Divide the lowest
quarter average by the total average and then multiply by
Zone 1
100. This gives you the lowest quarter distribution uni-
formity in percent (%).

• Example: 13, 17, 22, 28, 29, 30, 35, 35, 35, 35, 39,
40, 41, 42, 45, 45, 46, 47, 50, 53, 67, 78, 79, 79
(data from Step 8 arranged in ascending order)
Lowest quarter = 13, 17, 22, 28, 29, 30
Sum = 139 mL
Zone 2
Average = 139 mL / 6 = 23.2
Lowest quarter average / Total average (from Step 8)
Figure 6. Sketch of approximate catch can locations for an = 23.2 / 42.9 = 0.54
irregularly shaped lawn. Catch cans are approximately 8 ft
apart. Sprinklers in zone 1 will overspray into zone 2, so 0.54 x 100 = 54%
run both zones before collecting data.

Guide H-510 • Page 3

Table 2. Lowest Quarter Distribution Uniformity Rating Please see pages 9 and 10 of NMSU Circular 660, Turf-
for Sprinklers Used in Turf Irrigation grass Irrigation, for more details on how to use the data from
Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor the irrigation audit for irrigation scheduling.
Fixed Spray 0.75 0.65 0.55 0.50 0.40 In summary, understanding the precipitation rate and
Rotor 0.80 0.70 0.65 0.60 0.50 uniformity of the sprinkler system will allow correct irrigation
scheduling, resulting in more efficient irrigation and water
savings. Please contact your county Extension agent with any
questions on sprinkler irrigation auditing.

Table 2 lists a ranking for distribution uniformity values.

The distribution uniformity of your sprinkler system should at REFERENCES
least rate “good.” If the rating is lower than “good,” investigate Irrigation Association. 2009. Recommended audit guidelines
the causes for the poor uniformity. Not all problems are obvi- [Online]. Available from http://www.
ous, and you may need the help of a landscape contractor to irrigation.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=
address and fix them. id&ItemID=903&libID=923

12. The midpoint uniformity may be calculated by following

the directions in Step 11 using the data from the low-
est half (50% of the catch cans that collected the lowest
amount of precipitation). This number is useful if the de- Cheryl Kent is the Bernalillo County
sire is not to maintain a very high-quality turf. In our ex- Horticulture Agent for New Mexico
ample, this would be the 12 cans with the lowest amounts. State University’s Cooperative Extension
This result is known as the midpoint uniformity. Service. She earned her B.S. in Biology
from the University of Texas at Austin
• Example: and M.S. in Agronomy from New Mexico
13, 17, 22, 28, 29, 30, 35, 35, 35, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42, State University. She is ready to answer
questions about vegetable gardening, trees,
45, 45, 46, 47, 50, 53, 67, 78, 79, 79
pests, lawns, soil, and anything else related
Lowest half = 13, 17, 22, 28, 29, 30, 35, 35, 35, 35, to horticulture.
39, 40
Sum = 358 mL

Average = 358 mL / 12 = 29.8
Lowest half average / Total average (from Step 8) =
29.8 / 42.9 = 0.70

0.70 x 100 = 70%

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New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department
of Agriculture cooperating.

July 2013 Las Cruces, NM

Guide H-510 • Page 4