3 Wwg Audit[1]

Watering efficiently with appropriate irrigation methods

Watering efficiently Based on community water use figures, 40% to 50% of the water used for landscape irrigation is wasted due to poor design , maintenance , and management . For many yards, the irrigation system design and management had little fore-thought for water conservation.

Watering efficiently Irrigation efficiency has greatest water savings potential for most home gardeners.

Irrigation audit Tool to evaluate Working adequately Needs adjustments Simplification of standard audit procedures for the home gardener

Irrigation audit Evaluating Design Maintenance Management Precipitation rates Run times Scheduling methods

Irrigation audit Evaluating Design Maintenance Management Precipitation rates Run times Scheduling methods When incorporated 20% to 70% water savings 40% average water savings Improved plant health

Step 1 -- Water day before audit

Step 2 -- Visually evaluate the lawn Why ?

Step 2 -- Visually evaluate the lawn Why? What?

Small Group Discussion Make of list of “flags” to look for that will identify Management techniques that are successful Management problems

Step 3 -- Visually evaluate flowerbeds, shrubs areas and other non-lawn areas What?

Step 4 -- Record current controller settings Will be used in end to compare water use before and after

Step 5 -- Identify and evaluate irrigation zones 1. Identify the heads on each zone Color flags May need to turn on sprinklers

Step 5 -- Identify and evaluate irrigation zones 2. Evaluate Irrigation zone layout Design criteria for uniform delivery Maintenance criteria for water conservation

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Zone by water demand

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Zone by water demand High input lawns Reduced input lawns Low input lawns

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Zone by water demand High input lawns Reduced input lawns Low input lawns Shrubs Annual flowerbeds Perennial flowerbeds

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Zone by water demand High input lawns Reduced input lawns Low input lawns Shrubs Annual flowerbeds Perennial flowerbeds Small fruits Vegetables

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Zone by water demand High input lawns Reduced input lawns Low input lawns Shrubs Annual flowerbeds Perennial flowerbeds Small fruits Vegetables Limited/non-irrigated areas

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Zone by exposure to sun, heat, and wind

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Zone by exposure to sun, heat, and wind Typical sunny lawn Water use: 1X

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Zone by exposure to sun, heat, and wind Lawn on southwest facing slope Water use: 2X Typical sunny lawn Water use: 1X

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Zone by exposure to sun, heat, and wind Full shade Water use: 1/2X Lawn on southwest facing slope Water use: 1.5X Typical sunny lawn Water use: 1X

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Zone by exposure to sun, heat, and wind Green

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Zone by exposure to sun, heat, and wind Standing Water Green Soggy

Irrigation zones reflect water demand Drip irrigation on shrub and flower beds, small fruits, and vegetables reduces water use by 50%.

Design criteria for uniform delivery Uniformity of water delivery = water savings Line-out along non-irrigated areas

Design criteria for uniform delivery Uniformity of water delivery = water savings Line-out along non-irrigated areas Don’t water onto non-irrigated areas

Water-wise irrigation maintenance Uniform type, brand and style of heads in a zone Pop-up heads apply water at 1 to 2 1/2 inches per hour Rotor heads apply water at 1/4 to 3/4 inches per hour

Avoid irrigating small irregular-shaped areas < 7-10’ wide Design criteria for uniform delivery Uniformity of water delivery = water savings

Water-wise irrigation management Turn off in rainy weather Rain shut-off sensor Required by law in many parts of the country. Not yet in Colorado. Manually

Step 6 -- While sprinklers are running, evaluate performance Repeat evaluation for each zone

Design criteria for uniform delivery Uniformity of water delivery = water savings

Design criteria for uniform delivery Uniformity of water delivery = water savings 1. Head to head coverage Spray from each head should reach neighboring heads 20% overlap gives better uniformity

Design criteria for uniform delivery Uniformity of water delivery = water savings 2. Fill in with heads in square and triangle patterns

Design criteria for uniform delivery Uniformity of water delivery = water savings Avoid pentagon (5 sides) patterns Dry spot created by head pattern

Design criteria for uniform delivery Uniformity of water delivery = water savings 3. Adjust pressure A mist cloud around sprinkler indicates excessive pressure Slowly drop pressure until water flow just starts to drop, then up the pressure just a touch .

Maintenance criteria for uniform water distribution

Deliver arc Is water delivery arc correct to avoid watering sidewalk and other non-irrigated areas? Maintenance criteria for uniform water distribution

Maintenance criteria for uniform water distribution Adjust heads to vertical

Adjust height Is nozzle releasing water above grass height? Maintenance criteria for uniform water distribution

Maintenance criteria for uniform water distribution Replace worn heads/nozzles New head/nozzle Worn head/nozzle

Maintenance criteria for uniform water distribution Replace leaky valves The rubber diaphragm in the value wears out over time

Water-wise irrigation management Evaluate dry spots

Water-wise irrigation management Evaluate dry spots Compare amount of water received in can from the dry spot to can from the green area Significantly less = water delivery problems Fairly similar = soil or plant problem

Step 7 -- Perform precipitation rate (catch can) test

Precipitation rate test (catch can test) Step 1 -- Place 6 identical, straight sided, flat bottom cans randomly between sprinklers in zone. Do not use short cans like tuna, water may splash out.

Precipitation rate test (catch can test) Step 2 -- Run sprinklers exactly 10 minutes

Precipitation rate test (catch can test) Step 3 -- Pour all the water into one can Step 4 -- Measure depth of water in can This is the precipitation rate in inches per hours Step 5 -- Record in Table: Step 8

Precipitation rate test (catch can test) Note: If the amount of water in some containers is significantly more or less than others, it indicates that the system is poorly designed or heads are malfunctioning.

Step 7 -- Perform precipitation rate (catch can) test Repeat for each zone

Step 8 -- Calculate run times for each zone

Step 8 -- Calculate run times for each zone Converting inches to minutes

Converting inches to minutes Formula Water to apply (inches) Run time = ------------------------------- X 60 minutes/hour PR (inches/hours)

Converting inches to minutes Formula Water to apply (inches) Run time = ------------------------------- X 60 minutes/hour PR (inches/hours) 0.5 inches Run time = -------------------------------- X 60 minutes/hour 1 1/2 inches/hour

Converting inches to minutes Formula Water to apply (inches) Run time = ------------------------------- X 60 minutes/hour PR (inches/hours) 0.5 inches Run time = -------------------------------- X 60 minutes/hour 1 1/2 inches/hour = 20 minutes

Converting inches to minutes Table method Use Sprinkler Run Time Table CMG Fact Sheet #I19 Irrigation Management: Converting Inches to Minutes

Work Sheet Question 1 Converting inches to minutes

Work Sheet Question 1 Zone PR Amount Run Time 1 1 1/2”/hour 0.8” 2 1 1/4”/hour 0.6” 3 1/2”/hour 1.0” 4 2”/hour 0.8” 5 3/4”/hour 0.5” 6 1 1/2”/hour 1.5 Converting inches to minutes

Work Sheet Question 1 Zone PR Amount Run Time 1 1 1/2”/hour 0.8” 32 minutes 2 1 1/4”/hour 0.6” 3 1/2”/hour 1.0” 4 2”/hour 0.8” 5 3/4”/hour 0.5” 6 1 1/2”/hour 1.5 Converting inches to minutes

Work Sheet Question 1 Zone PR Amount Run Time 1 1 1/2”/hour 0.8” 32 minutes 2 1 1/4”/hour 0.6” 29 minutes 3 1/2”/hour 1.0” 4 2”/hour 0.8” 5 3/4”/hour 0.5” 6 1 1/2”/hour 1.5 Converting inches to minutes

Work Sheet Question 1 Zone PR Amount Run Time 1 1 1/2”/hour 0.8” 32 minutes 2 1 1/4”/hour 0.6” 29 minutes 3 1/2”/hour 1.0” 120 minutes 4 2”/hour 0.8” 24 minutes 5 3/4”/hour 0.5” 40 minutes 6 1 1/2”/hour 1.5 36 minutes Converting inches to minutes

Work Sheet Question 2 Zone PR Amount Run Time 1 1 1/2”/hour 0.8” 32 minutes 2 1 1/4”/hour 0.6” 29 minutes 3 1/2”/hour 1.0” 120 minutes 4 2”/hour 0.8” 24 minutes 5 3/4”/hour 0.5” 40 minutes 6 1 1/2”/hour 1.5 36 minutes Pop-up or Rotor? Pop-ups = 1” to 2 1/2”/hour Rotors = 1/4” to 3/4” /hour

Considerations Soak and Cycle? Most compacted/clayey soils can’t absorb water as quickly as sprinklers apply it. Typical Front Range clayey soils = 1/4” per hour If applying more than 1/4 inch Multiple short runs an hour apart

Considerations Watering time? Night/early morning (9 p.m. to 9 a.m.) Reduced evaporation Less wind Many communities experience peak water demand from 4 to 6 a.m

Considerations Soil water holding capacity and rooting depth? In typical July weather Lawn goes ___ days on ____ inches (Step 2) Maximum amount for soil water holding capacity and rooting depth is ___ inches Preferred amount? ______________ Irrigation days? _________________

Step 8 -- Calculate run times for each zone Scheduling methods Observational Historical ET Real-time ET -- fixed day Real-time ET -- fixed amount ET controllers

Irrigation scheduling Observational method Recommended by many communities to reduce over-watering Manually activate the controller to run cycles

Irrigation scheduling Observational method Set controller for desired amount of water Manually turn on when lawn show symptoms of water shortage Footprints show in lawn for an hour or more Color change from grassy green to bluish- gray Turn to “off” until next irrigation cycle is needed.

Work Sheet Question 3 Observational Method

Work Sheet Question 3 Example: Apply 0.7 inch per irrigation Zone PR Inches of Water Run Time 1 1 1/4”/hr 0.7” 2 2 1/4”/hr 0.7” 3 3/4”/hr 0.7” 4 1 1/2”/hr 0.7” 5 2”/hr 0.7” 6 1/2”/hr 0.7” Observational Method

Work Sheet Question 3 Example: Apply 0.7 inch per irrigation Zone PR Inches of Water Run Time 1 1 1/4”/hr 0.7” 34 minutes 2 2 1/4”/hr 0.7” 3 3/4”/hr 0.7” 4 1 1/2”/hr 0.7” 5 2”/hr 0.7” 6 1/2”/hr 0.7” Observational Method

Work Sheet Question 3 Example: Apply 0.7 inch per irrigation Zone PR Inches of Water Run Time 1 1 1/4”/hr 0.7” 34 minutes 2 2 1/4”/hr 0.7” 19 minutes 3 3/4”/hr 0.7” 56 minutes 4 1 1/2”/hr 0.7” 28 minutes 5 2”/hr 0.7” 21 minutes 6 1/2”/hr 0.7” 84 minutes Observational Method

What if ran each zone ran 84 minutes? Example: Apply 0.7 inch per irrigation Zone PR Run Time Amount % 1 1 1/4”/hr 84 minutes 1.8” 250% 2 2 1/4”/hr 84 minutes 3.2” 450% 3 3/4”/hr 84 minutes 1.1” 150% 4 1 1/2”/hr 84 minutes 2.1” 300% 5 2”/hr 84 minutes 2.8” 400% 6 1/2”/hr 84 minutes 0.3” 100%

Irrigation scheduling Historical ET Method Water use* April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Per week 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6” Per day 0.13” 0.16” 0.20” 0.21” 0.18” 0.13” 0.09” % July 60% 73% 93% 100% 87% 60% 40% *Northern Colorado Front Range area for cool season turf

Work Sheet Question 4 Historical ET

Work sheet Question 4 Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ”

Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Watering days Once a week (on Saturdays) Work Sheet Question 4

Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Watering days Once a week (on Saturdays) 0.9” Work Sheet Question 4

Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Watering days Once a week (on Saturdays) 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Work Sheet Question 4

Work Sheet Question 4 Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Watering days Once a week (on Saturdays) 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Zone 1 Precipitation rate = 1.5”/hr Run time (minutes)

Work Sheet Question 4 Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Watering days Once a week (on Saturdays) 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Zone 1 Precipitation rate = 1.5”/hr Run time (minutes) 36

Work Sheet Question 4 Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Watering days Once a week (on Saturdays) 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Zone 1 Precipitation rate = 1.5”/hr Run time (minutes) 36 44 56 60 48 36 24

Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week .9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Watering days Twice a week (Thursdays and Saturdays) Zone 1 Precipitation rate = 1.5”/hr Run time (minutes) Work Sheet Question 5

Work Sheet Question 5 Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week .9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Watering days Twice a week (Thursdays and Saturdays) 0.45” Zone 1 Precipitation rate = 1.5”/hr Run time (minutes) 18

Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week .9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Watering days Twice a week (Thursdays and Saturdays) 0.45” 0.55” 0.7” 0.75” 0.6” 0.45” 0.3” Zone 1 Precipitation rate = 1.5”/hr Run time (minutes) 18 22 28 30 24 18 12 Work Sheet Question 5

Do you water once or twice a week? Soil water holding capacity and rooting depth To estimate for the site maximum number of days between X 0.20”/day = Maximum amount irrigations in July per irrigation (inches)

Do you water once or twice a week? Soil water holding capacity and rooting depth To estimate for the site maximum number of days between X 0.20”/day = Maximum amount irrigations in July per irrigation (inches) Typical daily water use in July

Do you water once or twice a week? Soil water holding capacity and rooting depth To estimate for the site maximum number of days between X 0.20”/day = Maximum amount irrigations in July per irrigation (inches) 5 days maximum X 0.20”/day = 1” maximum to apply

Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. If 1” is maximum amount to apply per irrigation, circle irrigation schedule for the week . Watering days Once a week (Saturdays) .9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6” Twice a week (Thursdays and Saturdays) 0.45” 0.55” 0.7” 0.75” 0.6” 0.45” 0.3” Work Sheet Question 6

Work Sheet Question 6 Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. If 1” is maximum amount to apply per irrigation, circle irrigation schedule for the week . Watering days Once a week (Saturdays) .9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6” Twice a week (Thursdays and Saturdays) 0.45” 0.55” 0.70” 0.75” 0.65” 0.45” 0.3”

Work Sheet Question 6 Historical ET April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. If 1” is maximum amount to apply per irrigation, circle irrigation schedule for the week . Watering days Once a week (Saturdays) .9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6” Twice a week (Thursdays and Saturdays) 0.45” 0.55” 0.70” 0.75” 0.60” 0.45” 0.3”

Work Sheet Question 7 Historical ET -- Soak & Cycle April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Watering days Twice a week (Thursdays and Saturdays) 0.45” 0.55” 0.7” 0.75” 0.6” 0.45” 0.3”

Work Sheet Question 7 Historical ET -- Soak & Cycle April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Watering days -- Twice a week 0.45” 0.55” 0.7” 0.75” 0.6” 0.45” 0.3” Total run time Number of cycles (~1/4”/cycle) Run time per cycle

Work Sheet Question 7 Historical ET -- Soak & Cycle April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Watering days -- Twice a week 0.45” 0.55” 0.7” 0.75” 0.6” 0.45” 0.3” Total run time 14 Number of cycles (~1/4”/cycle) 2 Run time per cycle 7

Work Sheet Question 7 Historical ET -- Soak & Cycle April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Watering days -- Twice a week 0.45” 0.55” 0.70” 0.75” 0.6” 0.45” 0.30” Total run time 14 17 21 23 18 14 9 Number of cycles (~1/4”/cycle) 2 2 3 3 2 2 1 Run time per cycle 7 9 7 8 9 7 9

Work Sheet Question 8 Historical ET -- Fixed Amount Apply 1” per irrigation April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per week 0.9” 1.1” 1.4” 1.5” 1.2” 0.9” 0.6 ” Water use per day 0.13” 0.16” 0.20” 0.21” 0.18” 0.13” 0.09”

Historical ET -- Fixed Amount April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per day 0.13” 0.16” 0.20” 0.21” 0.18” 0.12” 0.09” Days per 1” of water Inches to apply 1” 1” 1” 1” 1” 1” 1” Run time 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 Work Sheet Question 8

Historical ET -- Fixed Amount April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per day 0.13” 0.16” 0.20” 0.21” 0.18” 0.12” 0.09” Days per 1” of water 8 Inches to apply 1” 1” 1” 1” 1” 1” 1” Run time 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 Work Sheet Question 8

Historical ET -- Fixed Amount April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Water use per day 0.13” 0.16” 0.20” 0.21” 0.18” 0.12” 0.09” Days per 1” of water 8 6 5 5 6 8 11 Inches to apply 1” 1” 1” 1” 1” 1” 1” Run time 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 Work Sheet Question 8

Irrigation schedule Real-time ET -- Fixed Day Method Accommodates fixed watering days or mowing days Recalculate run time for each irrigation

Irrigation schedule Real-time ET -- Fixed Day Method Watered on Monday and Thursday nights Last watered Thursday night Friday 0.18” ET Saturday 0.21” ET Sunday 0.19” ET Monday 0.16” ET Total 0.74 inches used Minus rain -0.12” Net water to apply 0.62”

Irrigation schedule Real-time ET -- Fixed Day Method With a precipitation rate of 1.5 inches/hour It takes 24 minutes to apply 0.6 inches

Irrigation schedule Real-time ET -- Fixed Amount Method Apply a fixed amount per irrigation (don’t have to reset controller with each watering) Activate controller when ET exceeds amount to apply per irrigation

Irrigation schedule Real-time ET -- Fixed Amount Method Activate controller when ET exceeds amount to apply per irrigation Example: Apply 1/2” per irrigation With a precipitation rate of 1 1 / 4 inches per hours it takes 24 minutes.

Irrigation schedule Real-time ET -- Fixed Amount Method Balance Carry over 0.07” ET 0.07” Day 1 0.14” ET 0.21” Day 2 0.17” ET 0.38” Day 3 0.15” ET 0.53” Minus rain 0.0” 0.53” Activate irrigation - 0.50 inches 0.03” New carry over 0.03”

WaterWise Irrigation Management ET Controllers Coming to home garden trade in few years Some work on historical ET Some work on real-time ET, connecting via phone or satellite to a local weather station data bank (for a small monthly fee).

Design criteria for uniform delivery Uniformity of water delivery = water savings 3. Fill in with heads in square and triangle patterns. 1. Head- to-head coverage 2. “Line-out”

If your sprinkler system doesn’t meet this criteria, consider upgrading the design. Water saving 20% to over 40% Recover costs in 3-15 years Design criteria for uniform delivery Uniformity of water delivery = water savings

WaterWise Irrigation Management Summary Zoning Design Maintenance Management Water saving potential? 20% 40% 70%

3 Wwg Audit[1]

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3 Wwg Audit[1]