Anatomy of a Water-Efficient System...Anatomy of a Water-Efficient System Today’s Objectives:...
Transcript of Anatomy of a Water-Efficient System...Anatomy of a Water-Efficient System Today’s Objectives:...
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Improperly designed, installed, maintained systemsInefficient systems using outdated technologyIncorrect pressure and/or flow for highest efficiency operationWater applied at a higher rate than the soil or slope conditions will acceptSystems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