Simple Concepts in Irrigation

• Households with in ground spinkler systems use 35% more water outdoors (AWWA)

• Households with automatic timers use 47% more water outdoors (AWWA)

Irrigation Conservation is Needed

Mechanical Controler

• Easy to set• Must manually turn on timer• Automatic shutoff

Battery OperatedHose end In-line

Automatic Timer

•More difficult to set •Automatically turns irrigation on• Automatic shutoff

Underground Valves

Irrigation Scheduling

What days?What hours?

Stay out of trouble

• Know the rules in your area• Schedule for conservation

Check your OrdinancesBackflow Prevention may be required to prevent yourirrigation system from contaminating water supplies

Watts.com

How much water?Rule of thumb:•Shrubs: up to once a week - apply one gallon of water per foot of plant height•Lawns: up to once a week -up to one inch per application •Trees: up to once a weekone inch of water under entirecanopy

*It’s best to water infrequently,deep and early in the morning

How do I know how longI need to irrigate?

Set out tuna cans or rain gaugesrandomly throughout your lawn

Measure how much waterwas applied and calculate how long it will take to apply the water you need

Individually turn on each irrigation zone for 15 minutes. check to be sure irrigation is uniform adjust heads if irrigation isn’t uniform

Set out tuna cans or rain gauges randomly throughout your lawn

Check Uniformity of Application

Don’t water thepavement

Check for leaks

Hit the target

Reduce irrigation when demand is low

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Rain CutoffInstall an automatic rain cutoff device

Don’t water in the rain!!!

Moisture Meter

Another option for improved conservation

Spray IrrigationUsed to irrigate large uniform areas

Convert to Drip IrrigationConvert to Drip IrrigationConserve by watering individual plants

Drip System

Drip Irrigation Retrofit Kits

PressureRegulator

Filter

Check your Water Supply

(Bucket size in gallons / Seconds to fill) * 3600 seconds per hr. * .75

Flow Rate (gallons per hour) =

Example: 5 gallon bucket took 30 seconds to fill

5 / 30 x 3600 x .75 = 450 gallons per hour

Pipes and fittings

Emitters

- Many shapes and styles- Flow rate 0.5 – 10 gal./hr- Pressure compensating- Do not mix drip with micro spray

Layout

300 mature plants (4 feet tall)

- Total requirement: 300 x 4 = 1200 gallons- Supply = 450 gallons per hour

Possible Solutions:

Example:

- One zone, ½ ghp emitters for 8 hours (150 gph)- One zone, 1gph emitters for 4 hours (300 gph) - Two zones 2 ghp emitters for 2 hours (300 gph)

- Plant requirement – 4 gallons