How to Do a Bucket Flow Rate Test

Planning a micro irrigation system? One of the most common questions is:

"How many drippers, sprays or sprinklers can I run at once from my system?"

Before installing your irrigation, it’s important to know your available flow rate. This helps you choose the right products and design a well-functioning, efficient system.

Fortunately, you can easily test your flow rate at home using just a bucket and a stopwatch — this is known as a bucket flow rate test.

Why Do a Bucket Flow Rate Test?

A bucket flow rate test is a simple DIY method to measure how much water your tap can deliver. Once you know this, you can calculate how many emitters your system can support.

To make it even easier, Antelco offers a Flow Rate Calculator that instantly converts your test results into litres per minute (LPM) and litres per hour (LPH).

Step-by-Step: How to Perform the Test

1. Fully turn on your tap (without the bucket in place).
2. Place a standard 9-litre bucket under the tap.
3. Time how long it takes to fill the bucket.
4. Enter the time into the Antelco Flow Rate Calculator to get your flow rate in litres per minute (LPM).
5. Use the built-in converter to view the result in litres per hour (LPH).

Note: The calculator applies a 20% reduction to account for possible pressure loss in your system.

What to Do With Your Results

Once you’ve calculated your flow rate, refer to the Antelco Product Catalogue for emitter performance data. This will help you:

• Understand the flow rates of different drippers, sprays and sprinklers
• Select the right emitters for your system
• Determine how many emitters your system can run based on your available flow rate

Starting with a flow rate test ensures your irrigation system is efficient, reliable, and suited to your water supply.