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Rain Bird's Project PRS Spotlights Water-Saving Benefits05-19-15 | News

Rain Bird's Project PRS Spotlights Water-Saving Benefits

University of Arizona study shows pressure regulating stems technology can save significant amounts of water and money.
Photo: Rain Bird

In 2013, Rain Bird (https://landscapearchitect.com/products/listing.php?id=5139) launched Project PRS, an initiative aimed at educating irrigation contractors and their customers about the many benefits of pressure-regulating irrigation technology. Now, thanks to new, compelling research from the University of Arizona, Project PRS is well-positioned to continue its water-saving mission in 2015.

"In 2013, Project PRS encouraged contractors to learn more about pressure regulating technology, install it at their customers' sites, monitor the resulting water savings and enter a contest to see who could save the most water," said Anita Matlock, area specification manager. "Over a period of just a few months, Project PRS received nearly 1,500 entries from contractors all across the United States who reported saving an amazing total of 215,485,448 gallons of water."

Project PRS is promoted because many people who are unaware of how much water and money they could save by simply swapping out standard sprays and rotors for those with integrated pressure regulation, according to Matlock.

Communities everywhere continue to face the problem of high water pressure. High water pressure causes irrigation systems to experience a higher water flow rate, which results in wasted water, higher water bills and even damaged system components.

Most rotors and sprays are designed to function best at recommended inlet pressures of 45 psi and 30 psi, respectively. Average water inlet pressure in the United States is 73 psi, with many sites exceeding 100 psi. These high inlet water pressures cause sprays and rotors to emit water as mist or fog which simply drifts away rather than landing on its intended target.

For years, Rain Bird has offered sprays and rotors with patented pressure regulating stems that maintain optimum performance regardless of inlet pressure. For more information about Project PRS, including site reports, calculators and videos, visit www.rainbird.com/PRS.