NMSU's Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service is presenting a hands-on demonstration and installation workshop on Saturday, July 28. Participants will help install a subsurface drip irrigation system during the daylong workshop that begins at 8:30 a.m.

"A subsurface drip irrigation system waters right at the roots, which minimizes water loss to overhead evaporation, wind and overspray," said Bernd Leinauer, an NMSU Extension turfgrass specialist, who will be leading the workshop.

This type of system was installed at the Rio Ranch High School soccer field three years ago.

"Rio Rancho was the first large-scale demonstration of this type of system," Leinauer said. "It has been very successful."

The soccer complex is watered through a 1-foot-by-1-foot grid of irrigation lines buried below the field's surface. The irrigation lines have pressure-compensating emitters that release one liter, – or four-tenths of a gallon of water – per hour, once the irrigation system has 15 pounds per square inch of water pressure in the line.

"This is a great opportunity for homeowners, athletic field groundskeepers and public park maintenance crews to learn how to design, install and maintain this below ground water-wise irrigation system," said Kyle Tator, Valencia County Extension agricultural agent. "This is a great way to save water while maintaining a healthy lawn."

Workshop participants are asked to contact the Valencia County Extension office at 505-565-3002 or at Valencia@nmsu.edu for directions to the workshop location. Lunch and snacks will be provided.

This event is sponsored by NMSU Extension offices in the Albuquerque Metroplex, the Rio Grande Basin Initiative and Toro Irrigation.