The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is reminding owner/operators of agricultural irrigation systems to be mindful and stay legal and have the “end-guns” not be on/active and spraying onto the roadways. We have been receiving numerous complaints recently about center pivot irrigation systems end-guns spraying onto roadways. This causes issues with road maintenance and safety issues for drivers on the roadways.

We do understand that mechanical issues happen, but not to the extent that this has been occurring. Having the end-gun spraying onto the roadway is a Class 4 Misdemeanor and can result in a $500 fine for each offense.

Statute:

39-302. Roads; sprinkler irrigation system; restrictions; violations; penalty.
A sprinkler irrigation system which due to location or design diverts, or is capable of diverting, water onto or across a public road so as to saturate, wash, or impair the maintenance, construction, or passability of such public road or allows water to accumulate on the roadway or traveled surface of the public road shall be equipped with a device which will automatically shut off the endgun of the irrigation system causing such diversion or accumulation of water. Any person who fails to comply with this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor, except that section 39-301 shall be controlling with respect to mechanical malfunctions and normal weather conditions.

Sheriff Todd Volk