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Automated Irrigation Systems:
Benefits and Maintenance Issues
Dick Villamil, Ph.D.
CEO, Aquarius Landscape Sprinklers
Do your fields ever look like this?
Do you re-seed the same areas every #^%&#%@ year?
Find yourself replanting expensive shrubs & gardens?
Sick of lugging hoses everywhere?
Maybe it’s time to install…(or optimize your use of)
Automatic landscape sprinklers!
Key aims for grounds managers
Make the president’s house look good
Eye appeal for visitors, students, administration
Keep high-traffic areas from turning into mud
Minimize loss of landscape plantings
Keep repetitive labor to a minimum
Eliminate your reliance on Mother Nature
Reduce annual need for re-seeding
Why automatic sprinklers can help
Consistent source of water Protect grounds investment Less labor by grounds staff Protects plants from effects of variable weather Customizable to your plant and turf needs Increases effectiveness of fertilizer One word: AUTOMATIC
Even if you have an automatic system already…
Are you covering all your areas? Are you optimizing timing and delivery? Do you have consistent equipment? Have you had a check-up recently? Are you still having problem wet or dry areas? Have you ever actually watched it working?
What your fields could look like!
What your grounds could look like!
Key Irrigation Concepts:
Plant materials – sod, seed, trees or perennials Soil Type – sand, clay Drainage Electrical needs and issues Water supply – pressure vs. flow in gpm Water quality – lake, pond, well or municipal “Hardscape” issues Sustainable maintenance
Tools of the Trade
Controllers – are loaded with features
Lightning and surge protection
Multiple independent programs
Multiple start times Ease of use
Tools of the Trade
Valves offer many features at a low price
Pressure reducing Flow control Manual activation Low amperage Durable plastic body Internal bleed Dirty water compatible
Tools of the Trade
Rotors have many interchangeable nozzles
One sprinkler for either full or part circle
Integrated check valve Ease of service High pop-up height – 5” Long warranty
Installation Strategies
Vibratory plow can install 2” pipe with no trench!
Flexible continuous poly pipe resists heaving
Install multi strand wire with pipe
Use non-corrosive clamps
PVC reduces restriction to flow
Installation strategies
Install sleeving before pavement
Locate wire and pipe splices – use a digital camera
Install sprinklers and valves AFTER landscaping and BEFORE lawn planting
As-Built Drawings – an important tool of the trade!
Maintenance Issues
Refer to As-Built drawings BEFORE Excavating
Planting trees
Aerating lawns
Installing tent stakes
Staking roads for snow plowing
Maintenance issues
Operate and test frequently
Exercise valve diaphragms
Check for broken sprinklers
Check wiring integrity
Change program to suit the weather
Avoid the “Set it and Forget It” mentality
Maintenance issues
Wires should be labeled Install spare wires – just
in case! Install grounding rods to
avoid electrical problems Choose the proper wire
gauge for length of run
Maintenance issues
Clean around valve boxes before they are
“lost” Main line shutoff valves
and wire splice boxes need to be located
Trim grass on a monthly
schedule
Maintenance issues
Plan your water shutoff valves for convenient access
Winterization ports should be easily accessible
Emergency access may be important!
Design for Efficiency
Hydrozone strategy– Gardens vs. Lawn– Sunny vs. Shady areas– Rotors vs. Mist Spray– Slopes vs. level lawn– Drip for shrubs and
perennials– Drip for disease
susceptible perennials
Water conservation and Liability Issues- Avoid spraying across public walks- Use check valves to
avoid low head drainage
- Adjust controller for seasonal changes
Hydrozones – Drip for gardens, Rotors for lawns
Hydrozones – Spray for gardens, rotors for lawns.
Water Conservation – avoid watering walks
and Liability Issues and roads
Hydrozone – Drip for Gardens
Drip irrigation puts water at the roots where it is needed
Drip avoids wetting foliage inducing mildew
Drip conserves water Drip prevents wetting
fences and buildings
Specific Maintenance Issues
Stuck valves – dirty water
Broken sprinkler riser Rotors that don’t rotate Wires cut by . . . . . . . Properly winterized
Don’t just add sprinklers
add a new zone• Prune shrubs to avoid
blocking sprinklers• Raise sprinklers as turf
thickens• Monitor water quality
Maintenance - Winterization
Winterize by using compressed air
Choose the proper compressor
CFM vs. pressure Install drains in low
points
Irrigation Motto #1
Set it and Forget it.
You’ll never discover the problem until there IS one!
.
Irrigation Motto #2
The best fertilizer is the footstep of the farmer.
Run a test cycle often to check your irrigation system’s performance.
Irrigation systems
Properly designed Carefully installed Regularly maintained Selectively upgraded
will result in the following . . . . . . . . . . .
Golf Greens will be healthy
Landscapes will prosper
Athletic Fields will be the BEST that they can be!
Your Lawn will be Happy!
The End – thank you. Any questions?