SO YOU WANT AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Congratulations! Automatic irrigation systems save water. But only when designed and installed correctly. Improperly designed and installed irrigation systems waste water, break down more frequently and are often abandoned due to cost of operation. How do you know you will get a system that is designed and installed correctly?

Irrigation Basics – Sprinkler Options

1. Spray heads – These sprinklers have a fixed spray pattern that typically covers a radius of up to 15 feet. The area of coverage (arc) is covered all at one time. Spray heads put a lot of water down in the small area they cover. They are not the most efficient method of irrigation because the water droplet size is very small which allows wind to affect it more than other heads.
2. Rotors – These sprinklers generally have a single stream of water that rotates to cover the target area. They usually cover a radius of 20 to 40 feet.
3. Rotary nozzles – These nozzles attach to spray head bodies but act like rotors. They are very efficient and have lower precipitation rates like rotors. They usually cover between 10 to 25 feet.
4. Drip Irrigation – Drip irrigation comes in a variety of forms; emitters, drip pipe, micro sprays, etc. Drip irrigation has very low flow rates and is used on ground-cover, shrubs, trees, and flowers.

These different components need to run on different zones (valves) due to their differences in performance.

Efficient Irrigation Cannot Happen Without the Following:

1. Matched precipitation rate: Flow rate emitted from any sprinkler head is in proportion to the area it covers. Eg. Half circle heads cover two times the area of quarter circle heads. The flow rate out of the half circle head should be two times the flow rate of the quarter circle heads. Systems that do not match precipitation rates typically need to use two times the water as equal systems with matched precipitation rates.
2. Head to head coverage: Sprinkler heads are not designed to provide even distribution throughout their throw. Most of the water exiting a sprinkler head falls closer to the head than further away. Overlapping coverage results in more even distribution of the water.
Paying a little more for extra heads at the time of installation will result in significant savings in amount of water used to keep the landscape green and healthy.
3. Hydro-zones: Not all landscaping is created equal. Did you know that most flowers and shrubs may need about half the water turf requires?
Turf in full sun may need twice as much water as turf in shady areas of the property. Again, these areas should be irrigated separately.
Correct hydro-zoning of irrigation systems usually results in more valves being required. More equipment means more cost up front, but it will save much more money in the long run due to water savings and improved plant health.

The success of your irrigation system depends on a combination of proper design, installation, management, and regular maintenance. In fact, it will make the difference between a system that continues to keep your lawn healthy and green, and one that creates problems by wasting water and leaving your lawn unhealthy and brown.

Irrigation Design

Certified designers can evaluate the site to develop a plan that utilizes the most efficient and cost-effective irrigation products; prepare comprehensive plans and specifications that include construction details and irrigation schedules; ensure the installation matches the design intent; and provide direction to the end user on system use, scheduling and maintenance.

Irrigation Installation

Certified installers can execute irrigation projects to meet all specifications and requirements; understand good business practices; provide service after the sale.

Irrigation Management

Proper irrigation operation and scheduling is crucial to getting the most out of a properly designed and installed system. Proper irrigation scheduling means the right amount of water at the right time that considers plant type, micro climate and soil properties.

Irrigation Maintenance

Even well designed and installed irrigation systems can encounter problems over time. It is important that all irrigation systems get continual maintenance by qualified companies. Small things can mean a lot. A sunken head, a tilted sprinkler, misalignment can all significantly decrease efficient operation.

Water in Motion can help ensure you get the results you expect and deserve. Contact us to find out how we can help make your irrigation headaches go away.