Category: Technology

  • 3 REASONS YOU SHOULD USE HIGH EFFICIENCY NOZZLES

    As water continues to increase in price and become more scarce, water from your sprinkler landing on the side walk instead of the landscape or water running off the landscape onto the sidewalk is not tolerable. Water from sprinklers is often lost long before the water hits the ground.  Pop-up sprinkler heads have never been a very efficient way to water.  There are a variety of ways water is wasted with spray head irrigation – wind, evaporation, run off, misting and overspray all play a role.

    During the last 25 years there have been literally millions of spray heads installed across the nation.  Replacing all the spray heads for a different type of irrigation is an expensive and daunting task.  Fortunately with technological advances in nozzles, the efficiency of a pop-up sprinkler can be improved.  High efficiency nozzles help combat wasted water with spray heads several ways and typically improve the efficiency of your system by 10% – 20%.

    High Efficiency Nozzles Throw Heavier Droplets

    High efficiency nozzles deliver heavier streams and bigger droplets. The extra weight helps prevent those droplets from being carried away by wind.  According to most manufacturers, the high efficiency nozzles allow a much more significant amount (some as much as 35% in certain conditions) of water to land on the desired area.

    Less Run Off from High Efficiency Nozzles

    High efficiency nozzles apply water to your landscape at a much slower pace than traditional spray nozzles.  This allows the water more time to soak into the soil and less or none to runoff. . Because the water is being applied at a slower rate and they are designed to operate at lower presser, they can be an excellent solution if you experience low water pressure.

    It is counter intuitive to use these nozzles.  Because the amount of water applied is at a slower rate in most cases you will have to increase the amount of time you water.  You will have to recalculate your run times or if you are using a smart controller, add the parameter for the high efficiency nozzles (and let the smart controller do the calculations for you) so the run times reflect the amount of water being applied. 

    Rebates Available for High Efficiency Nozzles

    Many water agencies across the United States are offering rebates for installing high efficiency nozzles.  I’ve seen rebates as high as $8.00 per nozzle which can more than cover the price and of the nozzles depending on which nozzle you choose. Here is a great summary of irrigation rebates by state from Rain Bird.     

    Watch Your Water Window

    Many water agencies are limiting the hours of the day landscape watering can take place.  In addition, many properties are limited on times they can water due to the way their property are used.  For example you really don’t want the irrigation running at a hotel during the time of the day your guests are moving around the property.

    One additional item you need to evaluate when moving to high efficiency nozzles is determining if you have the time available to water at a slower rate.  This will take a little time to calculate before making the switch.

    Remember There is a Cost for Installation

    Installing high efficiency nozzles requires some time.  To make the switch in an existing system you will have to turn your system on and mark all the sprinkler heads.  Then, turn your system off, unthread the old nozzles and thread the new nozzle. (Remember a new filter)  Turn the system on again and make the necessary alignment adjustments.  Turn the system off and move to the next irrigation zone. The adjustment portion is very important and the most time consuming portion of the nozzle replacement.

    Overall I have been very impressed with the performance of high efficiency nozzles. I have taken advantage of rebates on several occasions which reduce the return on the investment. I have also had success with better water coverage working with an existing low pressure system.  You will find the cost of the nozzles and installation will be worth the expense because to the water savings will cover the cost over the next few years.

    Learn More About Richard Restuccia. If you like this post please consider subscribing to the blog or follow me on twitter at @H2oTrends.

  • A Reason To Revisit Flow Sensors

    Smart controllers are making a positive impact on water management. What makes a controller smart?  There are several reasons and right at the top of the list is the ability to sense flow.  Flow sensors are affordable devices that can be installed to detect and automatically shut down the irrigation system when breaks, malfunctions or vandalism occur.  Flow sensing should be part of any large irrigation system.  Flow sensors are set to memorize the normal flow of your system.

    Most manufacturers recommend two full irrigation cycles as a minimum to learn what is normal flow. The operator is able to program the controller to shut the master valve off if the flow is a certain percentage (to be determined by operator) over the memorized amount.  Some controllers allow the same feature for too little flow.  Operators are notified when there is a shut down in the system.  Typically the system will shut down for a period of time (say 10 minutes) and then open the master valve again.

    For example, you have a break in zone one that was detected within the first two minutes of operation.  Watering time for zone one this day is 15 minutes.  The master valve would come on again after 10 minutes; high flow would be detected again, and the valve would be shut off again for 10 minutes.  When the master valve comes back on, zone one will have passed its water time. The valve will be shut and additional zones will be watered.  You will conserve water and save your property lots of money.

    Why don’t we see flow sensors on every property?

    Flow sensors are not applicable to all irrigation systems.  For example if you have one meter that supplies water to the interior and exterior of a building a flow sensor will not work because there is typically not a normal flow of water inside a building.  You should check with an irrigation professional to see if flow sensing will work for your property.  The other significant reason we don’t see flow sensors on every property is because most flow sensors have to be wired directly to the controller.  In retrofit situations this often results in having to cut through concrete or asphalt to create a trench for the wire and the trench for the wires becomes too expensive for the water savings benefit.

    Solution – Wireless flow sensors

    Wireless flow sensors have been around for many years now, but often the price of the wireless flow sensors has been too high for most managers or property managers move forward with a project. HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc., just released the WeatherTRAK Flowlink that uses existing field wires and minimal trenching to pair a field transceiver and controller transceiver with flow sensors and a WeatherTRAK ET Pro commercial smart irrigation controller. This solution leverages the full flow management capabilities built into the controller and WeatherTRAK Central to monitor five independent flow functions along with master valves, station level flow rates, thresholds and run times. WeatherTRAK Central users can immediately address high flow rates, shut off broken sprinkler heads and make remote changes to station-level controller flow settings and configurations via any internet-enabled computer, Smartphone or tablet. The FlowLink retail price is $2500 and you will still have some installation charges in addition, but compared to the price of trenching and repaving, it could be thousands less than a directly wired flow sensor.

    This is not the only wireless flow sensor available and I encourage you to share any addition information you have about wireless flow sensors in the comments area of this post.  Having the ability to shut down a system automatically when there is a break will save us thousands and thousands of gallons of water.  The price of water continues to climb while the price of technology declines.  The perfect positive storm for those of us interested in saving water.  Let’s be sure we take advantage of this optimal situation.

     

  • The Future of Non-Potable Water Use

    As potable water supplies dwindle and the cost per gallon rises, we have to be vigilant about how much we use and how we use it. One way to conserve potable water is to use non-potable water—rainwater, air conditioning condensate, stormwater run-off and treated wastewater—for purposes like landscape irrigation. Initiatives such as the United States Green Building Council’s LEED Program are driving the use of alternative water sources and the development of more efficient irrigation systems.  This trend is further fueled by state and local regulations, as well as rebate and incentive programs that focus on efficient water use.

    Much like the air we breathe, fresh water is something many of us take for granted. We assume it will always be there in plentiful supply when we turn on the shower, the dishwasher or the faucet on the sink. However, the truth is that only one percent of the world’s water supply is now suitable for human consumption.  To make matters worse, various droughts across the globe have created serious water shortages, even in areas that typically experience plentiful precipitation.

    As a result landscape architects and contractors are designing and implementing more irrigation systems that use alternative water sources.  However, the chemical composition of reclaimed water can pose public safety, liability and environmental concerns.  Non-potable water can also damage irrigation valves, rotors and sprays over time.  Obviously, our industry is facing some significant challenges as fresh water supplies continue to decline and the demand for non-potable water increases.  To adequately address these concerns, irrigation system manufacturers and the professionals who purchase, design and install irrigation systems must partner with the policymakers who are shaping the future of non-potable water use.

    Non-potable water use is not a trend that will quickly come and go. Future legislation and green building initiatives will continue to increase non-potable water use and demand. This presents irrigation system manufacturers with an opportunity to promote premium, water-saving products to increasingly savvy customers.  In speaking with Tom Kundrat at Rain Bird recently, he explained Rain Bird has taken a proactive stance by developing products specifically for use with non-potable water.   They plan to continue doing their part to encourage efficient irrigation by creating even more products for non-potable water use in the future.  This is important because effects of reclaimed water and chemicals used to maintain a reclaimed water line leave a lasting irreversible effect on irrigation products.

    Why Use Reclaimed Water

    Reuse conserves water by matching water quality with water use.   High-quality groundwater is reserved for drinking and bathing. Reclaimed water saves money because reclaimed water rates are less than local drinking water rates.   Reclaimed water use helps assure that a community will have water supplies to meet their current and future needs.  It will continue to make a positive impact on water landscape water use and due to the effects reclaimed water can have on your irrigation system it’s important to remember to use products designed and built for this specific purpose.

    Richard Restuccia – follow me on Twitter @H2oTrends

  • Saving With Smart Irrigation Controllers

    Have you taken advantage of irrigation rebates available through your local water District? This is a great way to put money back into your budget.

    Conventional controllers require users to manually enter desired watering days and watering durations. This is often inefficient and results in either overwatering or underwatering your plants and turf.

    Smart controllers, also known as weather-based controllers or “et-based” controllers, adjust their irrigation schedules automatically based on daily weather changes and estimated plant water requirements. Communication-based smart controllers with sophisticated scheduling engines and internet accessibility will generally have a higher potential for greater water savings because they are more precise.

    Because smart systems water only when needed, time the applications to allow water to soak-in, and avoid application when water might evaporate or blow away, you may reduce your annual water bill as much as 30 percent. When selecting a smart controller and reviewing the options and features offered by each, always consider if the expected water savings justify the cost of additional features.

  • Rain Sense and Sensibility

    In general it’s difficult to motivate people to be passionate about landscape irrigation.  However, there is one event — when the sprinklers come on and it’s raining — that really gets people going.  Adding a rain sensor to your current irrigation system might be the most sensible thing you can do to conserve water.  It can save water, money, and more importantly, keep your neighbors calm.

    Due to increased focus on water conserving products, manufacturers have created several new irrigation solutions to help your system reach peak performance for a surprisingly minimal investment. Most rain sensors can be purchased for less than $100 and you need one sensor per controller. These new products will help you save money, improve landscape health, and contribute to the betterment of the local environment.  Rain sensors have been around for years, but recent gains in technology have created a wireless rain sensor allowing you to place your sensor in an optimal location to detect rain.

    Rain sensors can be mounted anywhere — on gutters, posts, walls or conduit.  The rain sensor communicates with your system’s controller and is designed to override the cycle program, stopping the system during rainfall, and keeping it off for a while after rain has fallen.  Irrigation will resume once the sensor dries out.  Location of your sensor is critical because mounting the sensor in a sunny southern location can cause the sensor to dry out quickly. Conversely, mounting in a shady northern exposure will cause the controller to stay off longer.  Stay away from extremes when determining a mounting location.

    Hunter makes a wireless rain sensor called Rain Clik.  Rain Clik has a unique Quick Response™ feature, which can command a controller to shut off immediately — not after a quarter or a half-inch — but right when it starts to rain.  Derres Catalano, Product Manager at Hunter Industries recently told me, “Rain sensors save money and reduce water waste by eliminating irrigation during rain events.  They also protect turf and plants from overwatering, and allow the user to avoid fines and/or take advantage of local rebates offered by their water authority.” Check local laws.

    Rain sensors can be purchased anywhere irrigation products are sold, or – better yet – can be won on this blog.  They can be installed by the do-it-yourselfer or irrigation professional and will save water, money and, in some cases, improve relations with your neighbors.