Or you might have become used to the tik-tik-tik-ssshhh of an impact sprinkler providing a background beat to your stroll. More homeowners these days are switching to another watering technique: drip irrigation. In case you're unfamiliar with drip irrigation versus sprinklers, here's how the former works: Small permeable hoses distribute water at the base of your plants. Another name for drip irrigation is trickle irrigation. Installing drip irrigation is usually considered a DIY project.