Soils soak up water slowly. (Approximately .2 to .4 inches per hour for clay soils and .75 inches per hour for sandy loam.) Standard “pop-up” heads put down 1.5 inches per hour – or more. The water is applied faster than it can be absorbed, meaning much of the water ends up running in the gutter. MP Rotator heads apply water at less than .5 inches per hour, meaning better absorption and less waste.