[like_any_other]

That single sentence, which is the totality of the description given in the long and winding article, doesn't actually explain anything - the efficient use of water is the obvious goal of any irrigation system, especially in a desert. But how did it efficiently use water? The only hint of information is "synchronized cleaning and maintenance", and not a word on synchronized how or with what, or why this should help.

It's like describing how a car works with just "it is efficiently designed to help you travel faster, and uses skilled maintenance workers".

[BlueTemplar]

I know nothing about the subject, but it only took me a few minutes to follow references to find what looks like it might be the answer that you are looking for ?

https://www.proquest.com/ openview/768dad5fa2923211ed1128cfa33d5a29/1?cbl=18750&diss=y&pq-origsite=gscholar

(It does sound like a great idea for a layman-focused documentary, and I would be surprised if none exist yet.)

[like_any_other]

Oh sure - but given that that is what the article is purportedly about, it would be nice if it had been included in the text itself.