Irrigation System Design
Professional Irrigation Design for Reliable, Efficient Water Distribution
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At WTS, we design irrigation systems for commercial developments, sports fields, equestrian facilities, lifestyle and residential properties, orchards, parks and rural applications throughout New Zealand.
Using industry-standard design principles and CAD drafting, we create irrigation layouts that maximise performance while minimising water use, energy consumption and long-term maintenance costs.
Why Professional Irrigation Design Matters
An irrigation system is only as good as its design.
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Poorly designed systems often result in:
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Dry patches and overwatered areas
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Uneven sprinkler coverage
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Excessive water consumption
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Low operating pressure
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Pumps working beyond their design limits
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Frequent maintenance issues
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Higher electricity costs
A professionally designed irrigation system ensures every component works together to deliver reliable, efficient performance.
Site Assessment
Every project begins with understanding your property and your goals.
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We assess:
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Site dimensions
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Existing services
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Water source
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Available flow and pressure
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Soil conditions
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Planting requirements
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Future expansion
This information forms the basis of an efficient irrigation design.
CAD Irrigation Drawings
We produce clear, professional CAD drawings that provide accurate installation plans for contractors and project teams.
Drawings may include (dependant on requirements):
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Pipe layouts
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Valve locations
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Sprinkler layouts
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Drip irrigation zones
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Pump locations
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Controller locations
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Mainline routing
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Equipment schedules
These plans provide a clear roadmap from design through to installation.
Hydraulic Design
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Successful irrigation depends on more than simply placing sprinklers across a site.
Our hydraulic calculations ensure:
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Correct pipe sizing
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Appropriate operating pressures
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Acceptable water velocities
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Balanced irrigation zones
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Efficient pump selection
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Reliable system performance
Proper hydraulic design reduces operating costs while improving irrigation efficiency.
Sprinkler Layout & Uniformity
Uniform water distribution is one of the most important aspects of irrigation design.
We carefully select sprinkler types, spacing and operating pressures to achieve consistent coverage and minimise dry spots or excessive overlap.
By designing for sprinkler uniformity, your landscape receives the right amount of water where it is needed, reducing waste and promoting healthier turf and plants.
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Water Efficiency
Every litre of water counts.
Our irrigation systems are designed to:
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Reduce water waste
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Improve application efficiency
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Match irrigation to site conditions
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Reduce runoff
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Minimise evaporation losses
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Lower pumping costs
Efficient irrigation benefits both your budget and the environment.
Why Choose WTS?
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Our practical installation experience gives us an advantage over designers who have never built the systems they specify.
Every irrigation design is developed with real-world installation, long-term maintenance and operational efficiency in mind.
Our designs aim to:
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Deliver excellent sprinkler uniformity
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Maximise water efficiency
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Reduce operating costs
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Improve system reliability
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Simplify future maintenance
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Support sustainable water management
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Technical Design Capability
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Hydraulic Calculations
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CAD Design & Documentation
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Sprinkler Uniformity Analysis
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Flow & Pressure Modelling
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Pump Duty Selection
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Water-Use Efficiency
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Commercial Specifications
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Installation Support
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Learn more about how WTS systems are designed for performance HERE
Irrigation Systems We Design
We provide irrigation design for:
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Sports fields
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Equestrian arenas
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Commercial landscapes
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Schools
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Parks and reserves
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Lifestyle properties
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Rural properties
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Orchards
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Vineyards
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Nurseries
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Residential gardens
Whether your project covers a few square metres or many hectares, we can develop a design tailored to your requirements.
Our Design Process
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1. Consultation
We discuss your project objectives, budget and performance requirements.
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2. Site Assessment
We gather site measurements, water supply information and existing infrastructure details.
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3. Design & Hydraulic Calculations
Our team develops the irrigation layout, completes hydraulic calculations and selects suitable equipment.
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4. CAD Documentation
Professional drawings and specifications are prepared for installation and quoting.
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5. Ongoing Support
We remain available throughout installation to provide technical support and answer any design-related questions.
​​Let's Design Your Irrigation System
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Whether you're planning a sports field, commercial development, equestrian arena, lifestyle property or rural irrigation project, WTS can provide the technical expertise needed to design a reliable, efficient irrigation system.
Contact our team today to discuss your project and arrange an irrigation design consultation.
Frequently asked questions
The Science Behind Better Irrigation
At WTS, irrigation design is about far more than placing sprinklers on a plan. Every system we design is based on sound engineering principles to ensure reliable operation, efficient water use and long-term performance.
Using industry-standard hydraulic design methods and practical installation experience, we create systems that deliver consistent results while reducing water consumption, energy costs and ongoing maintenance.
Whether we're designing irrigation for a sports field, equestrian arena, commercial landscape, lifestyle property or large rural development, every project is engineered to perform as a complete system.
Our Designs Consider:
Hydraulic Calculations
Accurate hydraulic calculations are the foundation of every successful irrigation system. We calculate available flow, operating pressures, pipe friction losses and system demand to ensure every component performs as intended.
Flow & Pressure Analysis
Understanding how water moves through a system is essential. We analyse available flow rates and pressure requirements to ensure pumps, valves, pipelines and sprinklers operate within their optimum performance range.
Sprinkler Precipitation Rates
Different sprinklers apply water at different rates. We carefully select and balance precipitation rates to match site conditions, soil types and plant requirements, reducing runoff while promoting healthier landscapes.
Distribution Uniformity (DU)
A professionally designed irrigation system should deliver water evenly across the entire irrigated area.
We design for high Distribution Uniformity (DU), reducing dry patches, eliminating excessive overlap and improving overall irrigation performance.
Matched Precipitation
Where multiple sprinkler types operate within the same irrigation zone, matched precipitation is critical. We ensure sprinklers apply water at compatible rates, producing consistent irrigation across the entire zone.
Friction Loss Calculations
Pipe sizing isn't simply a matter of selecting the largest diameter available.
We calculate friction losses throughout the network to ensure efficient water movement while maintaining suitable operating pressures across the entire system.
Pump Duty Selection
Selecting the correct pump is vital for system performance and operating costs.
We determine the required duty point by analysing total flow demand, operating pressure and system characteristics, ensuring the pump delivers reliable performance without unnecessary energy consumption.
Water-Use Efficiency
Efficient irrigation isn't only good for the environment—it reduces operating costs.
Our designs focus on:
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Minimising water waste
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Reducing evaporation losses
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Preventing runoff
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Optimising irrigation scheduling
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Lowering pumping energy requirements
Future System Expansion
Many irrigation systems grow over time.
Where appropriate, we design with future expansion in mind, allowing additional irrigation zones, storage, pumps or infrastructure to be incorporated without requiring a complete system redesign.
Practical Experience Makes the Difference
Our irrigation designs are informed by years of real-world installation experience across commercial, rural and lifestyle projects throughout New Zealand.
Because we understand how irrigation systems are built, commissioned and maintained, our designs are practical, buildable and focused on long-term reliability—not just what looks good on a drawing.
This combination of engineering principles and practical field experience allows WTS to deliver irrigation systems that are efficient, reliable and built to perform for many years to come.
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