Choosing the Right Irrigation Equipment, Scheduling and Audit Requirements

Transcription

1 Choosing the Right Irrigation Equipment, Scheduling and Audit Requirements Kris Loomis CLIA,CID W.A Programs Specialist II

2 MWELO Ordinance Sections Covered Irrigation Design Plan Irrigation Scheduling Audit, Scheduling and Analysis Efficiency

3 492.7 Irrigation Design Plan A to V Irrigation components and requirements a) Meters b) Controllers c) PSI Regulators, booster d) Sensors e) Manual shut off valves f) Backflow prevention g) Flow sensors h) Master valves i) Runoff prevention j) Soil Infiltration rates k) Hydrozones l) Minimum efficiency m) ASABE/ICC n) Operating demands/restrictions o) Mulch = low flow p) Matched precipitation rates q) Head to head coverage r) Swing joints/riser protection s) Check valves t) Areas with a dimension <10 u) 24 hardscape setback v) Slopes and application rates

4 Landscape Water Meters Non-residential 1000 Sf or greater I m not a meter Residential 5000 Sf or greater Either provided by water purveyor or privately owned Courtesy of Rain Bird

5 Selection and Installation Considerations Choose the correct meter by design flow range & minimal psi loss Courtesy of Rain Bird Follow manufacturer s upstream and downstream installation recommendations Courtesy of Netafim Irrigation

6 Irrigation Controllers Must utilize data from either Evapotranspiration Or Soil moisture sensing And Non volatile memory Courtesy of Hunter Industries Courtesy of Toro / Irritrol Courtesy of Rachio Courtesy of Hunter Industries Courtesy of Rain Bird Courtesy of Weathermatic

7 Pressure Regulation up or down If water pressure is below or exceeds the recommended psi of the irrigation devices. Too high or too low? Excess psi must be addressed by using either a set psi or adjustable regulator Courtesy of Hunter Industries Low psi can be addressed by installing a booster pump Courtesy of Rain Bird

8 Sensors Rain Freeze Wind Must be able to suspend or alter irrigation during unfavorable weather conditions Courtesy of Hunter Industries Courtesy of Rain Bird Courtesy of Weathermatic Courtesy of Hunter Industries Courtesy of Toro / Irritro l

9 Manual Shut-off Valves Required close to point of connection Gate Ball Butterfly Valve IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Can you use the valve on your backflow preventer? No!

10 Backflow Prevention Devices Refer to applicable local agency code for requirements Electric anti-siphon Double Check R.P. Device

11 Courtesy of Rain Bird Flow Sensors Have the ability to detect high flow conditions. All commercial applications Residential over 5000 Sf Size by flow range Installation considerations

12 Master Shut-off Valves A Love-Hate relationship Required on all systems* What they do Why they do it Problems they solve Issues they create How to get around the issues Courtesy of Weathermatic Courtesy of Rain Bird A remote valve controller may be your new best friend Using a quick coupler can be a challenge with master valves Courtesy of Hunter Industries Courtesy of Hunter Industries

13 Prevent Runoff Avoid on hardscapes, adjacent property, non irrigated areas, roadways or structures Run-off Overspray Low head drainage Courtesy of Hunter Industries What is a similar condition? Courtesy of WUCOLS Courtesy of Rain Bird

14 Soil Type and Infiltration Rates Don t bite off more than you can chew! Soil type dictates: Water holding capacity Irrigation frequency Infiltration rate dictates: How fast to apply water Maximum zone run time Number of cycle start times Courtesy of Rain Bird Courtesy of Rain Bird

15 Hydrozones Hydrozones need to be irrigated according to their unique needs Considerations Plant type Plant factor Soil type Microclimate Irrigation method Precipitation rates Courtesy of Hunter Industries

16 Irrigation Efficiency System must be designed and installed to meet, at minimum, the irrigation efficiency regarding the Maximum Applied Water Allowance Considerations Spray Efficiency.75 Drip Efficiency.81 Choose quality irrigation products that have: Courtesy of Netafim In-head pressure regulation Matched precipitation rate nozzles Larger droplet size Pressure compensating drip emitters Courtesy of Hunter Industries If audit proves otherwise, improvements should be made

17 Efficient vs. Inefficient Lack of adequate pressure Excessive system pressure Inefficient Inefficient Inefficient Efficient Efficient Efficient Larger droplet size

18 American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers /International Code Council (ASABE/ICC) Quality tested products.65 Distribution Uniformity Lower Quarter (DULQ) or higher Search ASABE/ICC on manufacturer's website Less flexibility on equipment choices that s a good thing Limited knowledge about compliant products

19 Operating Demands / Restrictions Operating demand considerations Pressure fluctuations due to demand Reclaimed water availability Restrictions # of days per week limitations Watering window limitations

20 Mulch = Low Flow The use of low volume irrigation is required to maximize water infiltration in the root zone Drip irrigation with online emitters Drip irrigation with inline emitter tubing

21 Matched Precipitation Rates Sprinkler heads and other emission devices Sprinklers stick with one brand nozzle per zone Drip Irrigation use appropriate and consistent flow Inline use the same flow rate per outlet per zone 0 MPR 0 0 MPR Degree = 4 GPM degree = 1 GPM 90 degree = 1 GPM 180 degree = 2 GPM 1

22 Courtesy of Netafim Irrigation Consistent Flow is the Key for MPR Non-Pressure compensating = less consistent flow Pressure compensating = more consistent flow

23 Courtesy of Netafim Irrigation Consistent Grid = Easier Calculations Calculating precipitation rate and eventually run time can be less complicated when using this method

24 Head to Head Coverage Goal, to achieve the highest distribution uniformity possible Even Head to head coverage isn t perfect Follow manufacturer s recommendations Poor coverage No such thing as 100% DU

25 Swing Joints or Other Riser Protection Static pressure devices need higher psi rated support Dynamic pressure devices can use lower psi rated support Courtesy of Rain Bird Above ground options Courtesy of Hunter Industries Courtesy of Hunter Industries

26 Check Valves / Anti Drain Valves Check valves and/or anti drain valves are required where low head drainage may occur. They help prevent Low head drainage Run-off Water hammer Courtesy of Hunter Industries Erosion / surface problems Water loss- guess how much? Courtesy of WUCOLS Courtesy of Rain Bird

27 Areas Less than 10 = No Spray Here s why: Short radius nozzles generally have high precipitation rates of 3 per hour +/- which soil infiltration rates can not match. Courtesy of Rain Bird Irregular shaped areas are generally less efficient and are more susceptible to runoff What to do?...

28 Areas Less than 10 = No Spray What you can do: Inline emitter tubing offers a variety of application rates to better match your soil infiltration rates. Unusual size areas can be designed in a more efficient way. Using a tubing with a built in check valves helps to prevent low head drainage on slopes. Courtesy of Rain Bird

29 24 Setback No overhead irrigation within 24 of any nonpermeable surface. May include drip, dripline, or other low flow nonspray technology. Can be planted or not planted. May be mulch, gravel, or other porous material. These restrictions may be modified if: The landscape area is adjacent to permeable surfacing and no runoff occurs. The non-permeable surfaces are designed and constructed to drain entirely to landscaping. An alternative is specified that must be approved and prevent runoff. Confirmed in audit.

30 Slopes Greater than 25% = Low Application Rate Precipitation rate cannot exceed.75 inches per hour Courtesy of Netafim Irrigation Study manufacturer design guidelines for your soil type. Consider: Emitter flow Emitter spacing Lateral spacing Slope Precipitation rate ok Precipitation rate too high Courtesy of Netafim Irrigation

31 Irrigation scheduling Schedules shall be developed, managed, and evaluated to utilize the minimum amount of water required to maintain plant health. Irrigation schedules shall meet the following criteria: 1. Must have automatic irrigation controller. 2. Overhead irrigation only between 8:00 pm and 10:00* (unless weather prevents it). 3. Scheduling should meet ETWU without exceeding MAWA. 4. Continued..

32 Irrigation Scheduling Irrigation schedules shall meet the following criteria: 4. Parameters used to set controller shall be developed and submitted for each of the following: A. Plant establishment period B. The established landscape C. Temporarily irrigated areas

33 Irrigation Scheduling 5. Each irrigation schedule shall consider for each station all of the following that apply: A. Intervals B. Run times C. Cycles D. Amount applied monthly E. Application rate (PR) F. Root depth G. Plant type H. Soil type I. Slope factor setting J. Shade factor setting K. Irrigation uniformity or efficiency setting

34 Irrigation Scheduling All things considered: Plant factor, density, microclimate, efficiency, soil type and slope. How long do you irrigate for? Eto(week) x 60 Or What you need x 60 PR What you have Learning how to calculate irrigation run times requires thought, time, a calculator and training.

35 Irrigation Audit, Irrigation Survey, & Irrigation Water Use Analysis a) All irrigation audits must be done by a local agency irrigation auditor or a third party certified landscape irrigation auditor.* b) In large projects with multiple installations 1 in 7 lots or approximately 15% will satisfy the requirement. c) For new construction and rehabilitated landscape projects installed after December 1, ) An irrigation audit report must be completed and turned in with Certificate of Completion that may include but is not limited to: Inspection System tune-up System test w/ Distribution uniformity Reporting overspray or runoff Preparation of an irrigation schedule

36 Irrigation Audit, Irrigation Survey, & Irrigation Water Use Analysis C 1) Continued Configuring irrigation controller considering the following: Precipitation rate Soil types Plant factors Slope Exposure Any other factors*

37 Irrigation Audit, Irrigation Survey, & Irrigation Water Use Analysis ) The local agency shall administer programs that may include, but not be limited to: Irrigation water use analysis irrigation water use analysis means an analysis of water use data based on meter readings and billing data. Irrigation audits irrigation audit means an in-depth evaluation of the performance of an irrigation system conducted by a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor. An irrigation audit includes, but is not limited to: inspection, system tune-up, system test with distribution uniformity or emission uniformity, reporting overspray or runoff that causes overland flow, and preparation of an irrigation schedule. The audit must be conducted in a manner consistent with the Irrigation Association's Landscape Irrigation Auditor Certification program or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Watersense labeled auditing program. Irrigation surveys for compliance with the MAWA irrigation survey means an evaluation of an irrigation system that is less detailed than an irrigation audit. An irrigation survey includes, but is not limited to: inspection, system test, and written recommendations to improve performance of the irrigation system.

38 Irrigation Efficiency a) For the purpose of determining Estimated Total Water Used, average efficiency is assumed to be 0.75 for overhead spray devices and 0.81 for drip system devices. The spray assumption of 0.75 or 75% efficient means that it is estimated that 75% of the water applied landed evenly across the intended irrigated area. The drip assumption of 0.81 or 81% efficient means that it is estimated that 81% of the water applied landed evenly across the intended irrigated area. No such thing as 100% DU

39 Choosing the Right Irrigation Equipment, Scheduling and Audit Requirements Kris Loomis CLIA,CID W.A Programs Specialist II