Anatomy of a Water-Efficient System

Mark Austin, Rain Bird Area Specification Manager, Rocky Mountain Region

The Intelligent Use of Water™

Anatomy of a Water-Efficient System

Today’s Objectives:

Understand direct and indirect costs of water

Learn six key areas to apply water-efficient technology

Learn which products to specify in each of these areas

Find out where to get more information

Understanding the Direct and Indirect Costs of Water

Total cost of ownership:– Vehicle = Cost of vehicle, maintenance, insurance

and gas– Appliance = Cost of appliance, installation,

maintenance and power– HVAC = Cost of product, installation, maintenance

and power– Irrigation = Design, cost of product, installation,

maintenance and water

The highest cost of an irrigation system is typically the water used by the system over its lifetime

The Cost of Water

The Cost of WaterOver-watering creates additional problems that increase

costs:Leaches nutrients from the root zone requiring the application of additional fertilizer

Causes fungus and attracts pests

Major cause of plant death

Adds additional time and labor to maintain site

Runoff damages hardscapesand be an expensive liability

Poor public relations

When Demand Outpaces SupplyWater prices increase / Use is restricted

Irrigation is one the most visible forms of water use -usually the first to be regulated during a drought or water shortage

Current politics of irrigation:– Water bans and restrictions– Odd/even watering days– Tiered water rates– Lawn size and landscape

restrictions– Irrigation audits– Water-efficient product rebates

Water Conservation ProgramsEPA WaterSense -- Modeled after Energy Star labeling program (www.epa.gov/watersense)LEED – USGBC’s rating system for designing, constructing, operating and certifying the world’s greenest buildings (www.usgbc.org)

Leading Causes of Irrigation Water Waste

Improperly designed, installed, maintained systemsInefficient systems using outdated technologyIncorrect pressure and/or flow for highest efficiency operationWater applied at a higher rate than the soil or slope conditions will acceptSystems operate even though irrigation or rainfall has saturated the soilSystems are not adjusted to the current needs of the landscape

Anatomy of a Water-Efficient Irrigation System

6 Key Technologies to Conserve Water

6. Durability / Low Maintenance to

Perform as Specified

5. Low Volume and Direct to Root

4. High-Efficiency Nozzles

3. Pressure Regulation

2. Flow Sensing and Leak Detection

1. Operates Based on Weather and

Evapotranspiration (ET)

1. Weather and ET-Based Irrigation

Controllers

Weather and ET-Based Irrigation

Best: Specify controllers or central control systems that replace manual operation with 100% weather-based or ET-based scheduling

Next best: Specify controllers with features that make it more convenient and easy for the operator to adjust for the weather

Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers

Controllers that use weather conditions such as rain, wind, temperature, humidity, and evaporationare called “Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers.”

Evaporation really consists of two factors: Moisture lost through evaporation AND moisture used by the plants through transpiration.

What term do we call these factors? Evapotranspiration or ET

What is Evapotranspiration (ET)?ET is the inches of water lost to the plant’s use through daily evaporation and transpiration Effective rainfall (rain that is accepted by the soil) can be subtracted from the ET to calculate the Irrigation ET.Irrigation ET is used to calculate the minutes of sprinkler run time required to return the soil moisture level back to desired levels – no more, no less.

ET-Based Scheduling

Rain Bird Central Control Systems with ET-Based Scheduling

Multi-Site

Maxicom2

Real-time ET

IQProgrammable ET

Single-Site

SiteControlReal-time ET

Larger Sites,Fully-AutomaticOperation

Smaller Sites,Semi-AutomaticOperation

NEW

ET-Based Scheduling for Controllers: Rain Bird® ESP-LX Modular ET Cartridge and

ET Manager™

Solar Radiation

Temperature

Humidity

Wind

Rainfall

Used with any controller which has a common wire

Advantages of ET Manager

Works with existing controller

Real-time ET data every hour

Complete weather data set updated hourly using the IA Approved ASCE Standard ET Equation

Programmable with laptop or desktop computer

Low cost usage fees

Rain Shut-Off Devices

Automatically shuts off the controller when it’s raining or sufficient soil moisture is detected

Rain Bird RSD Rain Sensor

Rain Delay and Water Budgeting

Rain Delay: Set controller to postpone all irrigation when watering isn’t needed

Water Budgeting / Seasonal Adjust: Allows the user to easily adjust all run times by % increase or decrease

Rain Delay and Water Budgeting on the ESP-LX Modular (left) and ESP-MC Controllers (right)

Cycle + Soak™Problem: Apply water faster than soil can accept

Result: Run off

Solution: Cycle + Soak™

Cycle + Soak™

Applies water at rate the soil can absorb, reducing run off and puddling

Recommended for slopes and compacted soils

Cycle + Soak™ on the ESP-LX Modular (left) and ESP-MC Controllers (right)

Weather and ET-Based Irrigation

Best: Specify controllers or central control systems that replace manual operation with 100% weather-based or ET-based scheduling:

Central Controls: Maxicom2, SiteControl, IQ

ET Manager with any controller

Next best: Specify controllers with features that make it more convenient and easy for the operator to adjust for the weather:

Rain Shut-Off Devices

Rain Delay

Water Budgeting

2. Flow Sensing and Leak Detection

Controllers

Flow Sensing and Leak Detection

Use flow sensors to monitor hydraulic conditions in the fieldChecks in real time for excessive flows caused by broken pipes, vandalized sprinklers or stuck valves. If a problem is detected the system will:

─ Locate the problem─ Isolate the valve or mainline─ Send an alarmRain Bird Flow Sensors

and Flow Sensor Accessories

Rain Bird Central Control Systems with Flow Monitoring Capabilities

Multi-Site

Maxicom2

Single-Site

SiteControl

MDC

Larger Sites,Fully-AutomaticOperation

Smaller Sites,Semi-AutomaticOperation

Leak Prevention from Low Head Drainage

14

feet

Low head without SAM wastes water

Built-in Seal-a-Matic (SAM) check valve saves water and prevents erosion from low-head drainage.

SAM Check ValvesSAM Check Valves available in these Rain Bird Sprays and Rotors:

1800-SAM Sprays

3500 SAM Rotors

5000/5000 Plus SAM Rotors

5505 SAM Rotors

Falcon 6504 SAM Rotors

7005 SAM Rotors

8005 SAM Rotors

3. Pressure Regulation

Valves and Heads

Sprinkler Operating Pressure

High pressure results in ineffective misting and fogging

Reduce pressure at the sprinkler head

Sprinkler Operating Pressure

Low pressure results in poor, uneven nozzle performance

Increase pressure with booster pumps

Importance of Regulating High Pressure

Every 5 psi reduction in pressure to optimal reduces water use by 6-8%

Savings in an area can be 50%+ if a 70 psi spray zone is reduced to the recommended 30 psi.

Ways to achieve optimal pressure at the head:

Pressure Regulating Stem in Sprinklers

Pressure Regulating Swing Joints

Pressure Regulating Valves

Without PRS With PRS

Pressure Regulating Stem in 1800 Sprays

1800-PRS Series Sprays restrict water loss by 70% if the nozzle is damaged or removed

Pressure Regulating Stem in 5000 Series Rotors

Competitor @ 75psi 5000 Plus PRS @ 75psi

Pressure regulating swing joints

Maintains optimum pressure on all rotors on a zone

Reduces misting and fogging

Factory set at:

– ¾“ at 45 psi

– 1“ at 70 psi

PRS Swing Joints

Valves

PRS-Dial Pressure regulator for valves maintains constant water pressure to prevent water waste caused by misting and fogging at the head

Rain Bird PRS-Dial fits Rain Bird Commercial-Grade Valves

4. High-Efficiency Nozzles

Sprays and Rotors

High-Efficiency Spray NozzlesU-Series Spray Nozzles

Use 30% less water*Rotary Nozzles (on a Spray Body)

0.60 in/hr precipitation rate from 13 to 24 feet

Pressure Compensating Screens (PCS)Compensates for pressure variations

*When U-Series dual-orifice nozzles are installed instead of standard nozzles on every spray head in the zone. Results may vary based on site conditions.

U-Series Spray Nozzle

Rotary Nozzle

High-Efficiency Spray and Rotor NozzlesMatched Precipitation Rate (MPR)

Spray NozzlesMix various arcs and radii on the same spray circuit

Rain Bird 5000/5000 Plus MPR Nozzles:Deliver matched precipitation rates within and between rotor radii from 25' to 35'. 0.60'/hour for quarter, one-third, half and full arcs

MPR Spray Nozzle

5000/5000 Plus MPR Nozzle

Rain Curtain™ Nozzle Technology

Three key element of Rain Curtain Nozzles:

Large droplets minimize effects of wind

Superior close-in watering

Even distribution

All Rain Bird Rotors use Rain Curtain™ Nozzles!

5. Low-Volume / Direct-to-Root Irrigation

Landscape Drip

Low-Volume / Direct-to-Root Irrigation

Very efficient for non-turf applications

Apply precise amounts of water slowly and evenly at the root

Helps reduce weeds and plant disease

Helps eliminate runoff

Helps plants thrive with correct installation and maintenance

Control Zone Kit Selection Tool

Interactive way to choose the right Control Zone Kit

www.rainbird.com/drip

Root Watering Series (RWS)

Direct-to-root-zone application for trees

Deeper root watering

Minimize run-off for entire zone

RWS promotes tree survivability during water restrictions

6. Durability and Low Maintenance

Entire System

Durability / Low Maintenance

Specify products that offer technology that enhance long life and low maintenance:

Quality and durability of the products is important to long-term water efficiency

How easy and convenient the products are to adjust help ensure they are adjusted as needed to perform properly

ExamplesDurability:

1800 Sprays: Strong stainless steel spring for reliable stem retraction

1800 Sprays: Co-molded wiper seal molded into cap provides unmatched resistance to grit and pressure

5505/7005/8005 Rotors: Vandal-resistant non-strippable drive mechanism, brass re-inforced nozzle turret to riser connection

Easy to Maintain:

1800 Spray and 5000/5000 Plus Rotors: No special tools required to adjust from top

5000 Plus Rotors: Has flow shut off device at top of head

6 Key Technologies to Conserve Water

6. Durability / Low Maintenance to Perform as Specified

Technology for long life and low maintenance

5. Low Volume and Direct to Root

Landscape Drip

Root Watering Series

4. High-Efficiency Nozzles

U-Series

Rotary Nozzle

MPR

Rain Curtain

3. Pressure Regulation

PRS Sprays & Rotors

PRS Swing Joint

PRS-Dial

Booster Pumps

2. Flow Sensing and Leak Detection/ Prevention

Central Control

SAM Check Valves

1. Operates Based on Weather and Evapotranspiration (ET)

Central Controls

ET Manager

Water-Efficient Irrigation

Healthier plant material

Less disease and plant loss

Shorter irrigation run times

Less water waste (wet areas are eliminated)

Lower irrigation water bills

Sites are easier to maintain

Use less fertilizer & pesticides

Makes you a better steward of the environment

The Intelligent Use of Water™

Healthy Landscape, No Water Waste

The Intelligent Use of Water™We believe it is our responsibility to develop products and technologies that use water efficiently. Our commitment also extends to education, training and services for our industry and our communities. The need to conserve water has never been greater. We want to do even more, and with your help, we can.

IUOW Summits

IUOW White Papers

IUOW Film Competition

IUOW Awards

IUOW Scholarship

Find more at www.rainbird.com/iuow

Specification Hotline: (800) 458-3005

More training with Rain Bird Academy: www.rainbird.com/training

Catalog: www.rainbird.com/catalog

LEED Library - Design Resources: www.rainbird.com/designWater Saving Calculators: www.rainbird.com/calculatorsThe Intelligent Use of Water: www.rainbird.com/iuow

Design Resources