Advantages/Pros/Benefits 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/Cons 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.