Landscape Architect Articles

July 2016 Irrigation Update08-03-16 | News

July 2016 Irrigation Update

First launched by the Irrigation Association in July 2005, Smart Irrigation Month aims to increase consumer awareness and grow demand for water-saving products, practices and services.

Ways Contractors Can Get Involved:
- Hand out Smart Irrigation Month bumper stickers, available for purchase at irrigation.org.
- Promote water-efficient products that qualify for rebates from your local water authority.
- Add the Smart Irrigation Month logo to your email signature.
- Take a #SmartSelfie and share it on social media – the one with the most likes on the IA Facebook page by the end of the month will get a free Irrigation Show registration.
- Lobby your town to proclaim July as Smart Irrigation Month – a sample proclamation is available on irrigation.org. In fact, on June 21, Governor Mark Dayton proclaimed July as Smart Irrigation Month throughout the state of Minnesota.
- Watch for infographics posted on social media and the "Tip of the Month," posted throughout the year.

"Our member companies have embraced this campaign, and they have extended our reach tenfold. What started as a couple of free advertising spots over 10 years ago is now reaching hundreds of thousands of people through our member efforts, state proclamations, magazine ads, social media and more."
Deborah Hamlin, CAE, FASAE, CEO of the Irrigation Association.

www.irrigation.org
www.smartirrigationmonth.com

Waterwise Tools of the Trade
Making an older irrigation system smarter in a cost effective way is the idea behind the Hybrid 3D from Tucor Inc., which facilitates the addition of a flow sensor and master valve to an existing irrigation controller using existing in ground wires.
https://tucor.com/hybrid-3d/

Another cost effective improvement is the Doubler2 by Transitional Systems Mfg. It can operate up to four valves on a single hot and common wire so new valves can be easily added – no trenching in of new wire required – for a variety of water-efficient modifications such as creating separate watering zones or adding drip lines.
https://transitionalsystems.com/Products/Doubler2

Oso Technologies recently released PlantLink Lush, a wireless soil moisture sensor that sends messages to mobile devices about plants' watering needs, and includes a valve that attaches to a hose for automatic real-time watering.

The battery operated 400A single station controller from DIG Corporation is rain sensor compatible, completely waterproof, and can operate for up to three years on two AA alkaline batteries.
https://www.digcorp.com/irrigation-professional/dripline

A wireless moisture sensor developed by UgMO Technologies measures the soil's moisture, temperature and salinity levels every ten minutes to determine the amount of water needed per zone. The manufacturer credits their product for saving 476,760 gallons of water in six weeks at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix; 800,000 gallons of water in the first three months of use at Palm Beach Atlantic University; and a 64 percent water reduction in the first year for the parks and recreation department in Roswell, Georgia.

Dripping with Efficiency
To install drip irrigation under turf, Bill Millward of Netafim USA recommends these best management practices:
1. Select a flow rate and emitter spacing appropriate to the soil's water holding characteristics
2. Excavate the soil and add up to 15 percent of organic matter
3. Install tubing 4 inches to 6 inches beneath the turf (test results show that 6-inch-depths are better in hot, dry climates)
4. Place in-line tubing on grade, with particular attention to even uniformity of lateral row spacing and tubing depth
5. Test the system for overall uniformity and performance before placing soil back onto the system with a final grade that is smooth without rocks and other debris
6. Evenly compact soil with a vibratory plate
7. Test system again to ensure wetting patterns are even
https://www.netafimusa.com/data/media/2015/06/SDI-Turf-STMA-Millward.pdf