There are several ways to verify that your system is working, including:

1. Feel for moisture just below the surface of the soil directly above a dripper.
2. Run micro tubing to the surface at the end of a zone and use it as a point source dripper.
3. Install a flag indicator at the end of zone.
4. Monitor flow at the water meter.

Because water travels both upward and outward from the dripper, the soil will usually be damp at, or close to, the surface.