What will happen to the flow of water from activated sprinkler heads once the sprinkler control valve is turned off?

When the sprinkler control valve is turned off, the flow of water from activated sprinkler heads will immediately cease. However, it is important to consider the behavior of the water within the system afterward.

When the valve is closed, water that is still trapped in the pipes may continue to exit from the open heads for a short duration as it drains out of the system due to gravity. This can create the phenomenon observed where water may still flow for a few minutes, leading to the perception that the system is still delivering water, even though the active flow has been interrupted.

This behavior indicates that, although the control valve is closed, the residual water in the system does not instantaneously disappear, allowing for some continued drainage before the system stabilizes and pressure equalizes. Therefore, it accurately reflects the conditions post closure of the control valve, encapsulating the dynamics of water flow in a closed sprinkler system.