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?