Certified Landscape Certified Landscape Irrigation AuditorIrrigation Auditor

TrainingTraining

C.L.I.A. TrainingC.L.I.A. TrainingC.L.I.A. TrainingC.L.I.A. Training

Originally Developed by I.T.R.C. With a Grant From the California Department of Water Resources

Modified by the I.A. For Teaching Outside the State of California

Course Updated As of 3/10/00

Class objectives:Class objectives:Class objectives:Class objectives: Students will be able to perform

field tests on real systems

Students will be able to identify problems that cause poor uniformity

Students will be able to calculate an accurate watering schedule

Students will be able to perform field tests on real systems

Students will be able to identify problems that cause poor uniformity

Students will be able to calculate an accurate watering schedule

Important!Important!Important!Important!

You will need a calculator

Please turn off cell phones and pagers

Today You Will:Today You Will:

Conduct your first audit Develop your first watering schedule Start to get a headache at aroundround 3:45 pm

Conduct your first audit Develop your first watering schedule Start to get a headache at aroundround 3:45 pm

Tomorrow you will:Tomorrow you will:Tomorrow you will:Tomorrow you will:

Review the concepts you learned today Learn the final three steps of auditing Conduct your 2nd audit (by yourselves!) Calculate your 2nd schedule (by

yourselves!) Take your test and go home!

Your Auditing ManualYour Auditing ManualYour Auditing ManualYour Auditing Manual

Introduction Site inspection and tune-up Performing field tests Calculating a schedule Appendices:

Auditing Drip, ET sources, tables and charts, blank worksheets

Introduction Site inspection and tune-up Performing field tests Calculating a schedule Appendices:

Auditing Drip, ET sources, tables and charts, blank worksheets

Software PackageSoftware PackageSoftware PackageSoftware Package

Base Schedule Software– This is a simplified version that is easy use– It is based on the Base Schedule worksheet that

you will do in class– Does all of the math for you– Other more in-depth software is available from

ITRC

Key Irrigation Auditor ActionsKey Irrigation Auditor ActionsKey Irrigation Auditor ActionsKey Irrigation Auditor Actions

Identify Equipment Problems Determine Actual System Performance

Based on Uniformity Tests Adjust Run Times According to Season Fine Tune Stations to Exposures Trim Back System to Minimize Water Use

OPERATIONOPERATION

Irrigation AuditsIrrigation Audits

OPERATIONOPERATION

Irrigation AuditsIrrigation Audits

1. Site inspection - system tune up 2. System tests 3. Calculate a Base Schedule

OPERATIONOPERATION

Irrigation ManagementIrrigation Management

OPERATIONOPERATION

Irrigation ManagementIrrigation Management

4. Implement - adjust base schedule 5. Track water use 6. System maintenance

Benefits of SchedulingBenefits of SchedulingBenefits of SchedulingBenefits of Scheduling Water Savings = Money Savings Healthier Turf Reduced Chemical Use - Cleaner

Environment Less Strain on Distribution Systems

How much money can How much money can be saved?be saved?

How much money can How much money can be saved?be saved?

Case Study #1Case Study #1Case Study #1Case Study #1

Description: 152 ac. 7 Sites Pre-Audit Water Use = 825,418 ccf (149.6

in.) Post-Audit Water Use = 694,695 (125.9

in.) Water Saved = 130,723 (23.7 in.)

Case Study #1 cont.Case Study #1 cont.Case Study #1 cont.Case Study #1 cont.

Value of Water Saved 130,723 ccf X $0.46/ccf = $60,132

Cost of Audits 152 ac. X $50/ac. = $ 7,600

Net Savings $60,132 - 7,600 = $52,532

Case Study #2Case Study #2Case Study #2Case Study #2

Description: 180 ac. 36 Sites Pre-Audit Water Use = 401,769 ccf Post-Audit Water Use = 355,556 Water Saved = 46,213

Case Study #2 cont.Case Study #2 cont.Case Study #2 cont.Case Study #2 cont.

Value of Water Saved 46,213 ccf X $1.72/ccf = $79,486

Cost of Audits 180ac. X 108/ac. = $19,440

Net Savings $79,486 - 19,440 = $60,046

This water savings is This water savings is achieved by:achieved by:

This water savings is This water savings is achieved by:achieved by:

Checking and fixing equipment Following the weather throughout the

season Maintaining the system at peak efficiency

UniformityUniformityUniformityUniformity

(NEVER PERFECT)GOOD UNIFORMITY

Depth ofWater

POOR UNIFORMITY

Depth ofWater

Station

Before After

1 2 31 2 3

First Repair Equipment

Balance Runtimes Between Stations

ThenAdjust Runtime According to Season

FinallyTrim Back to Save More

Jan Dec

100%

Site Trim = 1

Jan Dec

Site Trim = .8

80%

Jan DecJan DecTurf Water Requirement

Water Applied

Average Amount Applied

Turf Water Requirement

Site InspectionSite InspectionSite InspectionSite Inspection

Step one, get the system

working right

Site Inspection PrioritiesSite Inspection PrioritiesSite Inspection PrioritiesSite Inspection Priorities

Minor not major repairs Low heads Plugged heads Bad adjustments Tilted heads No matched precipitation rate Mix matched heads

Data to Collect During the Site Data to Collect During the Site InspectionInspection

Data to Collect During the Site Data to Collect During the Site InspectionInspection

Site conditions and micro-climates Point of connection data Controller data Brand of products used Current watering schedule

Practice SessionPractice SessionPractice SessionPractice Session

Matched Precipitation RateMatched Precipitation Rate(MPR)(MPR)

Matched Precipitation RateMatched Precipitation Rate(MPR)(MPR)

Nozzle GPM is in proportion with the area covered

Watering time is in proportion with the area covered

You must verify during the site inspection Can drastically alter the DU

Break Time!Break Time!Break Time!Break Time!

Field WorkField Work

Evaluating your systems

Wind and AuditingWind and AuditingWind and AuditingWind and Auditing

Do not audit if the wind is 8 mph or higher(unless the wind is always 8 mph or higher)

Use the upwind\downwind ratio to be sure

An anemometer can also be used to judge wind speed

Audit Plan and Irrigation TestAudit Plan and Irrigation TestAreas (Sub-Areas)Areas (Sub-Areas)

Audit Plan and Irrigation TestAudit Plan and Irrigation TestAreas (Sub-Areas)Areas (Sub-Areas)

Two types of test areas (sub-area)– Overlapping: more than one station in

test area

– Stand alone: single station in test area

Identify Test GroupsIdentify Test GroupsIdentify Test GroupsIdentify Test Groups

Stand Alone

Overlapping

Stand Alone

Overlapping

Sta. 1

Sta. 1

Sta. 2

Flag StationsFlag StationsFlag StationsFlag Stations

Check System Check System PressurePressure

Irregular GeometryIrregular GeometryIrregular GeometryIrregular Geometry

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

ITRC

Cal Poly

Detail "AT-A-HEAD" PlacementDetail "AT-A-HEAD" Placement

RIGHT

5

10

15

20

25

50

75

100125

150

175200

WRONG

5

10

1520

25

50

75

100125

150175200

Offset Approx. 2 ft.

PART CIRCLE HEADS

LATERAL

LATERAL

FULL CIRCLE HEADS

R

R

R

Collect Other Data DuringCollect Other Data DuringStation RunsStation Runs

Collect Other Data DuringCollect Other Data DuringStation RunsStation Runs

Spacing of Sprinklers: Head to Head, Line-to-Line

Test Soil Type and Rootzone Depth

Spacing MeasurementSpacing MeasurementSpacing MeasurementSpacing Measurement

LINE-TO-LINE

Station 1 Station 2 Station 3

Sprinkler

SPRINKLER-TO-SPRINKLER SAMPLESpacing

Measurement:Triangular

Spacing

Testing Run Times (Min.)Testing Run Times (Min.)Testing Run Times (Min.)Testing Run Times (Min.)

How Long the Station Runs for Test Affects Quantity of Water in Catchments Spray Heads = 3-6 Minutes Rotary Heads = 8-16 Minutes Can Be Estimated from The Rotation Speed

of the Sprinkler

Field Work HintsField Work HintsField Work HintsField Work Hints

Set Up Ahead of Current Station Always be Running a Station Get Major Areas Done First Radio Remote or Walkie Talkie Assistance of Site Staff

Audit Plan and “Linking Audit Plan and “Linking Stations”Stations”

Audit Plan and “Linking Audit Plan and “Linking Stations”Stations”

To Reduce Field Time, “Link” Stations if Possible

Untested Station Uses Results from a Tested Station

Link ONLY if the Following are Similar:– Equipment– Spacing – Pressures

Let’s go get wet Let’s go get wet and dirty!and dirty!