What is the purpose of a strainer in irrigation piping?

• A. Perforate the pipe so that only water can enter the pipe, such as a Y Strainer.
• B. Increase the system pressure by restricting flow.
• C. Act as a surge suppressor in the mainline.
• D. Allow air to bleed from the line.

Answer: (A)

Strainers in irrigation piping are there to remove debris from the water before it moves further into the system. They use a screen that catches solids while allowing water to pass, so downstream components like pumps, valves, and emitters stay cleaner and clog-free. The Y-strainer is a common inline type that provides an accessible place for solids to be captured and then cleaned out.

This is why the purpose is about filtering out debris so only relatively clean water continues downstream. It isn’t about perforating the pipe to let water in, it doesn’t purposefully increase system pressure by restricting flow, it isn’t a surge suppressor, and it isn’t an air-bleed device.