Black & Brown Irrigation Pipes: What’s the Difference?
I call the brown drip line pipe, the most misunderstood pipe in the world!
After many years of installing both types of pipe, here is the reason I believe this is the case…
In the 1970s there was an irrigation revolution. Black poly pipe and low-density plastic fittings entered the horticultural industry, as we transitioned away from brass nozzles, galvanised iron pipes and eventually, less use of PVC.
I remember attending a rural school in South Australia as a youngster and witnessing the installation of the first black plastic drippers. They were like a long coil of spring that slowed the water down using friction loss to cause the slow drip to be emitted onto a plant.
Move forward another 10 years and there was a myriad of drippers on the market with lots of options in litres per hour, pressure compensation and adjustability.
Now, the design of the black poly pipe and dripper emitters was pretty basic. It consisted of a single low-pressure filtered line, delivering water to each plant with a single dripper device fitted into the black pipe. This was commonly used for native tree plantings that would only require water until established, thereafter relying on natural rainfall.
Then the brown pipe with drippers already built into the pipe entered the market. What were people to think?
Well, based on what they knew, they assumed it was to be used in the same way, weaving it around for metres and metres through all the trees and garden.
The problem was that it was not the same as the old black pipe. In fact, it was designed radically different from the old black poly and drippers.
The brown drip line pipe was the result of millions of dollars of research, making it the most efficient and maintenance-free system possible, watering desert-like areas in some of the harshest conditions in the world.
If a drip line system is designed properly it should last 20 to 30 years without any major problems. It can be easily repaired, and from my experience, it can turn a struggling garden into a vibrant flourishing picture of health.
One of the major differences is that the system waters the entire garden, not just a singular plant. This maintains better soil moisture, assisting plant growth and soil health, and avoiding plant and tree loss from blockages or entrapment of pipework. It also allows water to be measured more accurately.
For more information on building a drip line system, see these articles:
Drip Line Irrigation: All You Need To Know
Smart Irrigation Systems: Making Sense of All Your Options
Replace or Update: What’s My Old Irrigation System Worth?
David Allington
David is the owner of Allingtons Lawn & Garden Care. He has been in the horticultural industry for nearly three decades, and has pioneered an exciting gardening services business at the cutting edge of the industry. Through this site, he shares his knowledge and expertise. Return to the home page to view all on offer or drop us a line via the contact form.
