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How flood irrigation works

Learn how SRP’s irrigation system works and our role in delivering water to the Valley.

Quick irrigation schedule check

Where does the water come from?

Most irrigation water originates from SRP's 13,000-square-mile watershed — an area of land that channels rain and melted snow into the Salt and Verde rivers.

How SRP manages the system for delivery

SRP controls the delivery of nearly 800,000 acre-feet of water a year that travels through 131 miles of canals along with 1,000 miles of laterals and ditches. SRP employees known as zanjeros (Spanish for “ditch rider,” pronounced sahn-hair'-ohs) control irrigation gates and direct water to the highest point of a neighborhood for delivery to cities and irrigation customers throughout the Valley. After that, private neighborhood irrigation systems take over and move water to individual properties. Each system varies in design, material and maintenance.   

Mountains and snowmelt
Stored in lakes
Released from dams
Canals
Delivered to homes
Mountains and snowmelt

Roles and Responsibilities

SRP
SRP
  • SRP brings irrigation water to the SRP delivery gate.

  • On delivery day, an SRP zanjero will open the SRP delivery gate to release water into your neighborhood.

  • From there, the water is carried to your property through a series of ditches, channels or pipelines that are owned, operated and maintained by you and your neighbors.
  • If you need us, we’re here to help. Call the SRP Water Contact Center anytime at (602) 236-3333(602) 236-3333.
Homeowner
Homeowner
  • As irrigation customers, it’s your responsibility to install, operate and maintain your neighborhood irrigation system, starting from the SRP delivery gate to your respective property.

  • Need help with maintenance or repairs? Call us at (602) 236-3333(602) 236-3333 to request a list of irrigation repair contractors you can contact for help. 

  • You are also responsible for ordering only as much water as you need and containing it all on your property.
  • Finally, it’s your responsibility to know and follow your neighborhood’s water delivery schedule. You can find your irrigation schedule here.

Irrigation owner’s manuals

Check out the Residential Irrigation Owner’s Manual and the Agricultural Irrigation Owner’s Manual below.


Residential irrigation owner's manual

DownloadDocument is a PDF
Agricultural irrigation owner’s manual

DownloadDocument is a PDF

Water conservation

Irrigation allows trees to grow strong roots and create larger umbrellas of shade coverage. As a local utility strongly rooted in Arizona, SRP is committed not only to irrigation as a vital source of water for the Valley but to conserving water for the future. We’ve held conservation at the heart of our water management strategy for more than a century. This is why we partner with cities on water technology and pilot programs and have even set a goal to save 5 billion gallons of water, all so we can ensure a long-term, reliable water supply for the Valley.

Learn more

Water conservation

Irrigation allows trees to grow strong roots and create larger umbrellas of shade coverage. As a local utility strongly rooted in Arizona, SRP is committed not only to irrigation as a vital source of water for the Valley but to conserving water for the future. We’ve held conservation at the heart of our water management strategy for more than a century. This is why we partner with cities on water technology and pilot programs and have even set a goal to save 5 billion gallons of water, all so we can ensure a long-term, reliable water supply for the Valley.

Learn more

Flood irrigation webinar

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