A
system evaluation (Landscape Irrigation Audit) is the most
effective tool for increasing your systems water efficiency.
Audits should only be performed by an
IA Certified Landscape Irrigation
Auditor, our company has a CLIA on staff.
Irrigation Audits can assist the property
owner in reducing your water consumption up to 50%. This
happens after a series of questions are answered from the
evaluation. Questions like: Am I applying to the proper
water to my plants? (I know my annuals need a different amount
of water than my turf grass.), How much water am I applying when
my system runs? (This will help me determine how much it costs
and helps me know my application times.), Why can't I get my
distribution correct? (This part of my property is always wet
and the other is always to dry.)
The above questions are a small sample of
reasons for needing a system evaluation.
What is in an Irrigation Audit?
1. Performance Evaluation -
Even well-designed systems will degrade over time. Examples of this
are:
Wasted Water -
Tilted or Sunken Sprinkler Heads, Missing or Broken Heads, Arc
Misalignments, Leaking in Lateral or Drip Lines, Leaking Seals or
Fittings
Water loss
through Drift - High or Low Pressure,
Spray Deflection
Poor Distribution -
Plugged Equipment, Slow Drainage or Ponding, High or Low Pressure,
Spray Deflection, Compaction/Thatch/Runoff
Valve Malfunctions -
Electrical Wiring, Stuck Open
2. Performance Testing -
Application devices are designed by Manufacturer's to operate within
specific pressures and head spacing. Often the published data
performance does not accurately represent real life
scenarios.
Catch Can Tests - Is
the most accurate determination of precipitation rates, for
irrigation scheduling. By placing devices in a grid like
pattern, we get actual measurable amounts of precipitation
throughout the property. This procedure is typically timed and
the data recorded for each station or zone.
Site Analysis - Is a
determination of which plants are being irrigated. (IE. Turf
Grasses, Shrubs, Trees, etc.) Then soil probes are used to determine
root zone depths, and soil conditions. Followed by a topographic
analysis of the slopes and valleys; with location and spacing of the
irrigation heads. Once again, this procedure and the data collected
is recorded for each station or zone.
3. Irrigation Scheduling -
is the final step in the Irrigation Audit. Combines the data
collected above with
Evaportranspiration or ET
(a word used in the irrigation industry for
Evaporation and Transpiration). The ET data used is usually
either Historical or Real-time. Resulting in the actual amount of
time a station or zone needs to run, versus the traditional
recommendations like "20 minutes, three times a week".
4. Audit
Reports - Upon completion of an Audit, reports are
generated for the property owner. These reports identify the problem
areas and concerns the auditor has about the system. The owner will
actually be supplied with a working plan showing sprinkler or head
placements and spacing. Then with the auditor a discussion can
begin about recommendations for updating, repair or maintenance of
the system.
Recent Milestones
Since the inception of the company in
early 2007; we have put up 4 weather stations and 1 centralized
rain bucket. There are currently 2 stations in the Ann Arbor,
MI - metro area. There is
1 station in the Rochester Hills, MI - metro area. There
is 1 station in the Grand Rapids, MI - metro area. The 1 rain
bucket is located in Northville, MI - near 6 mile and Beck Rd.
ET Connections, LLC. is currently working on
the expansion of the network. Plans are being formed for the
addition of a weather station in Traverse City, MI. While
negotiations and contacts are being formed in Ohio and Illinois, for
expansion into those markets.