Drip Chlorination & Unclog the Emitters
Clears algae
Enter system flow, run time, target ppm and your product's strength to get the chlorine needed, the product needed in kg and litres and the water to flush.
Dose your drip system
Next: inject 0.8 L of 5% product steadily over the 60 min run, then flush lines and let the chlorine contact before turning off.
chlorineKg = flow(L/h) × hours × ppm / 1e6; product is scaled up by its strength %. Litres assume ~1.2 kg/L bleach density. Continuous low-dose (1–2 ppm) prevents biofilm; periodic shock (5–30 ppm) clears it.
Drip chlorination — key facts
- Targets
- Algae, slime, iron bacteria
- Chlorine needed
- Flow × run time × ppm
- Continuous dose
- ≈ 1–2 ppm at the far end
- Shock dose
- ≈ 10–30 ppm
- Liquid hypochlorite
- ≈ 5–15% chlorine
- Calcium hypochlorite
- ≈ 30–70% chlorine
- After dosing
- Always flush the lines
- Privacy
- Runs in your browser; nothing uploaded
Bring clogged drippers back to life
Drip emitters clog from algae, bacterial slime and iron building up inside the tubing, slowly choking the tiny outlets until the field waters unevenly. A periodic chlorine shock — injecting hypochlorite to a target ppm and holding it to the far end of the lines — clears that biological clogging by oxidising and killing the growth. The trick is dosing enough chlorine to reach the ends, but no more than you need.
This tool works out the chlorine needed, the product needed in both kilograms and litres, and the water to flush afterwards, based on your system flow, run time, target ppm and the product's available-chlorine strength. Always flush the lines after the shock to wash out the dead matter. Pair it with the Drip Irrigation and SAR tools to keep your system flowing clean all season.
Kill the clogging
Shock out algae, slime and iron bacteria.
Dose by your product
Works with any chlorine strength you have.
Measure it right
Product needed in both kg and litres.
Finish with a flush
Estimate the water to clear the debris.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do drip emitters clog?+
Drip emitters have tiny outlets that clog easily. The biological culprits are algae growing in sunlit lines, bacterial slime, and iron or sulphur bacteria that build up inside the tubing. Physical sediment and chemical scale also clog drippers, but chlorination specifically targets the biological clogging — the algae, slime and iron bacteria.
How does chlorination unclog drip lines?+
Injecting chlorine (usually sodium or calcium hypochlorite) to a target concentration oxidises and kills the algae, bacterial slime and iron bacteria inside the system. The aim is to hold an effective chlorine level all the way to the far end of the lines for a contact period, then flush the dead matter out through the line ends.
How is the chlorine dose calculated?+
The chlorine needed is the system flow times the run time times the target concentration. Flow times run time gives the volume of water treated, and multiplying by the target ppm gives the mass of chlorine to deliver. The product needed then depends on how much available chlorine your product actually contains.
What target ppm should I use?+
A continuous low dose of about 1–2 ppm of free chlorine at the far end controls slime, while a periodic shock of 10–30 ppm clears established clogging. Use the higher shock dose for a heavy buildup and hold it long enough to reach and disinfect the ends of the lines.
What is available chlorine strength?+
Chlorine products are not pure chlorine. Liquid sodium hypochlorite is typically 5–15% available chlorine, and calcium hypochlorite (bleaching powder) is around 30–70%. The product needed depends directly on this strength — a weaker product means you must add more of it to deliver the same chlorine dose.
Why does the tool give both kg and litres?+
Dry products like calcium hypochlorite are dosed by weight, so the kilograms matter, while liquid hypochlorite is added by volume, so litres are easier to measure into an injector tank. Giving both lets you use whichever product you have without converting by hand.
Why must I flush after chlorinating?+
Chlorine kills the biological growth but leaves dead algae, slime and oxidised iron in the lines. If you do not flush, that debris settles and can re-clog the emitters. Open the line ends and run the system until the water comes out clear; the tool estimates the water needed to flush.
Is chlorination safe for the crop and system?+
At normal shock doses chlorine is broken down quickly and is safe for the crop, but inject when not watering sensitive seedlings, follow the product label, and avoid mixing chlorine with acids or fertilisers in the same injection. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling concentrated hypochlorite.
How often should I chlorinate?+
It depends on water quality. Systems on surface or pond water with algae and bacteria may need a light continuous dose or a monthly shock, while clean groundwater may need it only occasionally. Watch for falling emitter output and slime at the ends — those are the signs it is time to chlorinate.
Does this replace acid treatment?+
No. Chlorination clears biological clogging; mineral scale and chemical precipitates (lime, iron oxide) need an acid treatment instead. Many growers alternate the two. Use this tool for the chlorine side and pair it with the Drip Irrigation and SAR tools to manage water quality overall.