How often should I clean or backwash the filter on my drip system?

How often you clean the filter depends mostly on how dirty your water is, not on a fixed day. Clean borewell water may need cleaning every few days to a week, while pond or canal water carrying silt and algae may need it daily or even more during peak running. The simplest guide is the pressure: most filters have a way to read pressure before and after, and when the pressure difference rises noticeably, the filter is getting clogged and needs cleaning. If you do not have gauges, watch the emitters; when the far ends start running weak, the filter is often the cause. For a screen filter, open it and wash the mesh; for a disc filter, open and rinse the discs; sand or media filters are backwashed by reversing the flow until the wash water runs clear. A clogged filter is the most common reason emitters block, so keeping it clean is the single best habit for a long lasting drip system. For the right filter type and cleaning routine for your water, ask your drip dealer.