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Smart Practices. Sustainable Solutions. Independent Technical Panel Landscape Irrigation February 19, 2015 Brent Mecham Irrigation Association

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Trade association1500 companies Agriculture and Landscape Manufacturers Dealers/Distributors Manufacturer Reps Designers Contractors Affiliate groups i.e. CLCA Technicalacademia, government

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Irrigation Association Mission: promote efficient irrigation

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Efficient Irrigation Designing, building and managing an irrigation system in a more sustainable way. Consider the three pillars of sustainability Environmental Social Economic When an irrigation system is installed

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Underpinnings The soil has been properly prepared for the landscape plantings Tillage depth Soil amendments or conditioners i.e. compost Plant selection and turf areas are appropriate Climate Purpose of the landscape Water availability

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Efficiency Irrigation products dont use water, they create a system to deliver water. Irrigation efficiency: Design Installation Management

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Impactful products Pressure regulation Sprinklers Valves Controllers WBIC Soil moisture sensor Appropriate use of drip irrigation Flow sensors / flow management

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Successes Collaborative initiative Testing protocols Promotion of irrigation technologies Cooperation with EPA WaterSense Certifying individuals Product labeling

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Protocols Weather-based controllers Soil moisture sensors Rain sensors Pressure-regulating spray sprinklers Sprinkler head check valves

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Next Protocols In development: Nozzle performance characteristics Flow sensors / flow meters Pressure regulating valves Scheduling programs / apps

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Successes Certification programAg and Landscape Designers **** Contractors*** Auditors** Water Managers**** Technician* Ag Irrigation Specialists **** Working through accreditation on some EPA WaterSense certifying body

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Whats on the horizon? Future certifications??? Certify an irrigation system City of Westminster, CO, Town of Castle Rock, CO City of Calgary. AB Certify a property instead of an individual Concept to explore

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Successes Landscape Irrigation Best Management Practices Extensive design practice guidelines Installation Management

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Standards & Codes Standards describe requirements and methods to measure performance and compliance is voluntary. Codes describe minimum requirements and compliance is mandatory.

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ASABE/ICC 802-2014 Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler & Emitter Standard

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Sprinkler & Emitter Standard This standard is intended to: Applicable to all sprinklers and emitters manufactured specifically for landscape applications. Establish minimum requirements for safety and performance. Specify testing methods used to quantify product performance. Promote uniformity in classifying, rating, and marking.

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Sprinklerkey provisions Materials UV resistance, Temperature range 40-140 degrees F Inlet connectionspipe threads Filters, strainers Servicing Adjustment Burst pressure 1.5 x max. pressure or 150 psi Check valves 7-foot head minimum Mandatory pressure regulator on sprays

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Uniformity DU LQ Modeled using data from application rate test Using declared spacing, pressure, distance of throw Square/rectangular, triangular, equilateral triangle patterns

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Marking Manufacturer name Connection, pop-up height Flow rate range Distance of throw, arc etc. Application rate Check valve Pressure regulator DU LQ Instructions for adjustment

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Bubblers Tested similar as sprinkler for flow rate, check valve and pressure regulator. Markings similar requirements as sprinklers.

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Microirrigation Flow rate Drip emitters < 6.2 gph per emission point Drip line Point source emitters Microsprays < 30 gph @ 30 psi Spray or emit water not as a steady drip or trickle Micro jets, micro sprays, micro bubblers, micro sprinklers

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Point source drip PARAMETERREQUIREMENT Deviation of Mean Flow Rate From Nominal Flow Rate 7% Coefficient of Variation7% Maximum Flow Rate as a Function of Inlet Pressure7% published pressure-flow data Emitter Exponent 1 0.2 maximum Emitter Pull-out Force40 N minimum Watertightness of the Emitter-Pipe AssemblyNo leakage at any location except emission point. POINT-SOURCE DRIP EMITTER PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 1. Emitter Exponent for PC emitters

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Microspray tests TEST NAME Mircospray Flow Rate Uniformity of Flow Rate Microspray Distance of Throw Check Valve Head 1 TEST NAMEREQUIREMENT Flow Rate as a Function of Inlet Pressure7% published pressure- flow data Coefficient of Variation7% maximum Deviation of Mean Flow Rate From Nominal Flow Rate 7% Pull-out Force40 N minimum

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Markings Markings will provide information resulting from tests. Publically available such as website, packaging etc.

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Other Standards ASABE X623 Standard for estimating plant water use. ASABE X626 Standard for measuring and evaluating sprinkler performance. ASABE X627 Standard for environmentally responsive controllers ASABE X633 Standard to evaluate soil moisture sensors for landscape irrigation.

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Codes Focus is on sustainability Codes & Green Initiatives ASHRAE 189.1 IgCC IAPMO Green Supplement CalGreen LEED GBI Green Globes SITES National Green Building Standard

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Challenges 40,000 companies install/maintain irrigation 800 IA members (we are missing 98%) Educating irrigation professionals No barrier to entry Slow market transformation Educating the consumer Innovation delivers, but slow adaptation Certified professionals are key

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Recommendations System inspection and commissioning BMP document Appendix A Water budgeting Both design and management Climate appropriate Available water resources Quantify the value of a managed landscapewhat is the ROI?