RWS – Root Watering System

Georg Haubner

Product Manager Accessories Products

July 2013

Agenda� What is a Root Watering System

� Why is a Root Watering System important

� Rain Bird’s Solution for Root Watering System

� Product Features

� Product Enhancements

� Competitive Comparison

� Key Benefits

� Models & Pricing

� Marketing Support & Resources

� National Arbor Day Foundation

� Q&A

What is a Root Watering System?

� It is a system which enables

and enhances tree and shrub

roots systems natural ability

to directly absorb vital

water, oxygen, and nutrients

bypassing compacted soil

for many years.

� It encourages root systems

to grow deep and into

adjacent soil away from the

surface

Why is a Root Watering System important?

� Minimizing Transplant Shock

– Depending on transplanting methods, trees loose a portion of their root system� Roots travel 2.5x the tree height away from the trunk� 85% of root growth occurs within 18” (46 cm) of the soil

surface

– Trenching cuts roots in their path� Reduced root system is unable to supply the quantity of

nutrients and water the upper portion of the tree needs for normal growth

– Problem appears out of sight but magnifies itself within months

Why is a Root Watering System important?

� Improves tree and shrub survival

– 19% of newly planted trees die within the first 2 years

– 56% of newly planted tree mortality is due to water and nutrient stress

– In a typical transplant project, as many as 20% of trees do not survive

Why is a Root Watering System important?

� Reduces water loss and saves money– Water directed to the root ball as well as the desired future root location

– Less evaporation

– Reduces site erosion

– Reduces run-off

With RWS Without RWS

Why is a Root Watering System important?

� Protects hardscapes such as

parking lots, walkways, and

buildings– Trains roots away from surfaces and protects

hardscapes

– Stronger root system withstands higher

winds easier

Without RWS Without RWS

With RWS

Without RWS

Why is a Root Watering System important?

� Supports healthy tree and

shrub growth for many

years– Stronger root system

– Stronger above ground growth

Year 1 Year 3

2 Growing Seasons with RWS 9 Growing Seasons without RWS

Why is a Root Watering System important?

� …because Science says so!

� Study design– Side by side comparison of surface irrigation via

bubblers vs. deep root watering via RWS

– 13 month study

– Equivalent amount of irrigation water applied to

single tree species

� RWS advantages– 48% greater deep root mass

– 18% increase in overall root mass

– 11% greater above ground growth

Rain Bird’s Solution

� The Root Watering System (RWS) Product Family

RWS – 36” RWS-M – 18” RWS-S – 10” RWS – Sock

Features: Rigid Tube Design

� Mesh material allows

horizontal movement of

water into root zone and

surrounding areas

Features: Locking Grate

� New integrated grate

securing clips mean no need

for tools during installation.

� More aesthetically pleasing

appearance versus metal

screw and washer.

Old Design New Design

Features: Grade Level Installation

� Eliminating above ground risers and

pop-up sprays therefore helping to

minimize personal injury; (e.g.,

tripping)

� Aesthetically pleasing appearance

and deters vandalism

Features: Connectivity Options

� Connects to traditional irrigation

lateral lines, supports low-volume

tubing and drip, and offers bubbler

and check valve options

� Swing assemblies and spiral barb

fittings simplify attachment to lateral

lines

� Integrated polyethylene swing

assembly connects to PVC and PE

pipes

� Can be ordered without a swing

assembly to allow direct connection

to a drip system

Features: Other Options

� Bubbler Options: 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0gpm

� Check valve optional

� Purple grate for reclaimed water

� Soil sock option (18” and 36”models)– Prevents soil particles from penetrating the RWS tube

– Helps “steer” roots around mesh canister

Product Enhancements

Ports available for drip line distribution.

New lateral line inlet closer to grade aids installation.

Optional check valve will be integrated into the bottom assembly.

Recessed stem allows use of 6-port drip manifold device (EMT-6XERI)

� Improved retainer design

Product Enhancements

� Integrated Perimeter Water Distribution Feature

Integrated channels allow flow of some

water to circumferential channel.

Circumferential channel and ports allow

water to flow down along mesh tube

surface resulting in soil absorption of

some water along the length of mesh

tube.

Rain Bird’s RWS vs. HUNTER’s RZWS

3” diameter cylinder

– 33% less column surface area for water

and air to absorb into soil

– Nearly impossible to fill with pea gravel

Rain Bird Hunter

4” diameter cylinder

– 33% more column surface area for

water and air to absorb into soil

– Easy to fill with pea gravel

Rain Bird’s RWS vs. HUNTER’s RZWS

� No effective grate locking

mechanism

– Grate is missing soon after installation

� No grate retainer – grate is

attached directly to the top of the

mesh cylinder

– Bubbler is not secured and often

penetrates up above grade

� Very effective grate locking

mechanism and grate retainer

– New integrated grate securing clips

mean no need for tools during

installation. More aesthetically

pleasing appearance versus metal

screw and washer.

Rain Bird’s RWS vs. Contractor Assembled

Contractor Assembly:

� Quality is inconsistent

� Parts often not compatible

� No grate retainer

� No Bubbler or check valve options

� Exposed white PVC is unsightly

Key Target Benefits

Commercial Contractors / Home

Owner

Specifiers

Architects

Large Commercial End-

Users

Benefit 1 Protects tree and shrub

investment

Protects

specified tree

and shrub

investment

Protects tree and

shrub investment

Benefit 2 Promotes intelligent use

of water

Reduces water loss and

saves money

Reduces water

loss and saves

money

Reduces water loss

and saves money

Benefit 3 Industry leading product

to sell

Accelerating tree growth

improves landscape

appearance

Accelerating tree

growth improves

landscape

appearance

Accelerating tree

growth improves

landscape

appearance

Models & Pricing� RWS (36”)

(6 units per package)

– RWS ($33.47)� Basic model, no bubbler, no check valve

– RWS-B-1401 ($45.87)� 0.25gpm bubbler, swing assembly

– RWS-B-1402 ($45.87)� 0.5gpm bubbler, swing assembly

– RWS-B-C-1401 ($52.24)� 0.25gpm bubbler, check valve, swing assembly

– RWS-B-C-1402 ($52.24)� 0.5gpm bubbler, check valve, swing assembly

– RWS-B-C-1404 ($52.24)� 1gpm bubbler, check valve, swing assembly

– RWS-B-X-1401 ($45.87)� 0.25gpm bubbler, no swing assembly

� RWS-Mini (18”)(12 units per package)

– RWS-M ($28.52)� Basic model, no bubbler, no check valve

– RWS-M-B-1401 ($39.56)� 0.25gpm bubbler

– RWS-M-B-1402 ($39.56)� 0.5gpm bubbler

– RWS-M-B-C-1401 ($ 45.67)� 0.25gpm bubbler, check valve

– RWS-M-B-C-1402 ($45.67)� 0.5gpm bubbler, check valve

� RWS-Supplemental (10”)(20 units per package)

– RWS-S-B-1401 ($21.05)� 0.25gpm bubbler

– RWS-S-B-C-1401 ($26.87)� 0.25gpm bubbler, check valve

� RWS/RWS-Mini Accessories(6 units per package)

– RWS-SOCK ($4.83)� soil sand sock

– RWS-GRATE-P ($2.75)� purple grate

List price as of July 1st, 2013; pricing can change without notice; please contact your local distributor for a quote

Marketing Support

POP

Show & Tell Kit

Resources: www.rainbird.com/rws�Site Reports

– Rancho Cordova http://www.rainbird.com/documents/turf/site_RanchoCordova.pdf

– Greek Town Casino http://www.rainbird.com/documents/turf/site_GreekTownCasino.pdf

– Veterans Cemetery http://www.rainbird.com/documents/turf/site_StateVeteransCemetery.pdf

�Tech Specs– http://www.rainbird.com/documents/turf/ts_RWS.pdf

�Video– http://www.rainbird.com/support/RWSdemo/index.htm

�Photography– RWS Family: http://www.rainbird.com/images/products/turf/accessories/RWS_family.jpg

– RWS grate retainer: http://www.rainbird.com/images/products/turf/accessories/RWS_Closeup.jpg

– RWS: http://www.rainbird.com/images/products/turf/accessories/RWS.jpg

– RWS-M: http://www.rainbird.com/images/products/turf/accessories/RWS-M.jpg

– RWS-S: http://www.rainbird.com/images/products/turf/accessories/RWS-S.jpg

– RWS-Sock: http://www.rainbird.com/images/products/turf/accessories/RWS-sock.jpg

�Specifications– RWS Specification: http://www.rainbird.com/landscape/resources/CAD/CAD-Accessories.htm#RWS

�Brochures– RWS Brochure: http://www.rainbird.com/documents/turf/bro_rootwateringseries.pdf

– Installation Tips: http://www.rainbird.com/documents/turf/RootWateringTips.pdf

…and your product manager!

National Arbor Day Foundation Partnership

• Collaborate with the National Arbor Day Foundation to promote

the establishment and nurturing of trees worldwide

• Support the Arbor Day Foundation’s efforts through donations

such as Gallatin National Forest Reforestation Project