GLS-037 - Ver 1.0 (Aug 23)
Confidential & Proprietary | 2023 CBRE Inc.
Irrigation Systems are horticultural water management tools that replenish the soil profile with water when it has not been replenished through effective rainfall patterns. A good water management plan can help you save 30% or more of your water use each year, increase plant health and reduce hardscape damage. CBRE's licensed, certified irrigation technicians and water management experiments can make recommendations that are right for your client's property.
Overview
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Grounds, Landscaping & Snow
Irrigation Systems - Overview
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Page 1 of 3
Understanding The Big Picture
Proactively and collaboratively develop a vision for the future wellbeing of the grounds.
3. Irrigation Systems should replenish the soil profile
- An irrigation system should not be designed to be a tool to care for all the water demands of a plant…it is a:
- A supplemental tool
- Is meant to add water to the soil to compliment water given by rainfall In a drought situation it cannot be a tool to save the landscape
4. Management / Operations are just as important a factor as uniformity
- Water schedules should look at the following factors
- Geographic locations (where the system is operating)
- Mowing days
- Micro climates
- Plant types
- Soil types
- A properly scheduled irrigation system will
- Provide the best balance of Air-Water-Soil so the root systems will expand and flourish
- Encourage plant root development (not root decline like there is when we over water)
- Reduce water use—and save the client money
2. Irrigation systems distribute water poorly without pro-active management
- Irrigation systems rarely (even with the best designs) provide distribution uniformity (DU or uniformity in coverage) of greater than 75% uniformity. Without proactive management it will continually be in a state of decline
5. Prepare for drought—by increasing landscape sustainability through proper water management practices
- If operated correctly and managed at peak performance, then landscapes become more drought tolerant. Landscapes will maintain their health and vigor longer into a drought than any landscape that indiscriminately throws water (no differentiation between plant materials), has a poor schedule and is only “patched” versus corrected, improved, upgraded or offered water savings ideas
1. Irrigation Is A Tool
- Properly designed, installed, managed and maintained, irrigation management tools can provide the right amount of water to landscapes when needed
- Understand soils—plants and micro climates
Sources: Facts About An Irrigation System
GLS-037 - Ver 1.0 (Aug 23)
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Confidential & Proprietary | 2023 CBRE Inc.
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Grounds, Landscaping & Snow
Irrigation Checks, Drip Irrigation & Sensors
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Page 2 of 3
Irrigation Management / Water Consumption - An Ongoing Battle
These systems experience wear and tear and every asset has a useful lifespan:
- Plastic – 2-5 years
- Brass – 5-10 years
- Flex Tube – varies depending on installation and rodent damage
Landscape partners should routinely be checking for:
- Leaks and water wasters
- Head-to-head coverage
- If all electrical components are firing properly
- Valves turn on & off when prompted
- Solenoids fire allowing water to push through heads & nozzles
- Master valves automatically shut off if flow is detected outside of programming windows
Irrigation repairs need to be budgeted annually:
- Leverage historical annual repair costs
- Work with your landscape partner to set annual budgets
- Set up monthly NTE’s to reduce repair time and water wasted
Drip Irrigation - Support Your Client’s Water Conservation Goals
Drip Irrigation
- Installed in rows 8-12” apart
- Emitters placed every 4-6’ on center depending on planting plan specifications
- Points irrigation towards the root balls of the plants rather than overhead spray
- Reduces wasted water due to wind & evaporation
- Should be installed to grade and covered with mulch
Bubbler Irrigation
- Used to ensure trees receive appropriate amount of water after landscape conversions
Safety
- Drip irrigation tends to be more contained in landscapes
- Reductions in slips / trips & falls due to irrigation
- Reduced sidewalk & asphalt repairs due to overspray
Master Valves & Flow Sensors
Master Valves
- Acts as an isolated irrigation shut-off
- Reduces events of full campus water shut-offs
- Normally open
- Normally closed
Flow Sensors
- Automatically closes the master valve if flow is sensed while program is not running
- Great for overnight leaks
- Flow sensor pings the MV and closes It, alerts the users of the flow, allowing for a quick dispatching of irrigation technicians
Sources: Tech Talk - Monarch Landscape
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Useful Information
GLS-037 - Ver 1.0 (Aug 23)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Grounds, Landscaping & Snow
Confidential & Proprietary | 2023 CBRE Inc.
Irrigation Checks, Drip Irrigation & Sensors
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Useful Information
Useful Information
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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Useful Information
Grounds, Landscaping & Snow
Irrigation - Smart Controllers
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Smart Controllers
- Smart irrigation systems utilize a combination of advanced sprinklers and intelligent irrigation controllers to automatically adjust watering to optimal levels. These controllers regulate when and for how long sprinklers run. When programmed properly, smart irrigation systems can be much more efficient than manual sprinklers
- How are these systems more efficient? With a smart system, water output automatically adjusts itself based on weather and soil conditions. In turn, this can reduce the water bill. Once the system is set up, time tending to irrigation is reduced
- A smart irrigation system can adapt to seasonal weather changes with little reprogramming. It’s ideal for complying with any local watering restrictions
Types Of Smart Irrigation Systems
Components & Zoning
Sources: https://bestreviews.com/lawn-garden/irrigation/best-smart-irrigation-systems
There are two main types of smart irrigation systems: weather-based systems and soil moisture-based systems. The correct type depends on several factors, including the weather patterns in your area and the landscape of your client's property.
Weather Based
Weather-based smart irrigation systems, also called ET-based systems, rely on outside data or local weather patterns to make adjustments. These systems include weather sensors that monitor conditions such as temperature, rainfall, and solar radiation. This data may be gathered on the property or from a remote site. These systems take advantage of three different types of technology: signal-based controllers, historic ET controllers, and on-site weather measurement controllers.
- Signal-based controllers use publicly available meteorological data to dictate watering patterns The data is sent via a wireless WiFi connection
- Historic ET controllers use pre-programmed data as a base value, or curve. The information is based on historic water use in different areas of the property. The curve can be adjusted to meet specific requirements
- On-site weather measurement controllers use weather data collected on the property to continuously calculate measurements and adjust watering
Soil Moisture-Based Systems
Soil moisture systems use sensors to monitor moisture content in the soil; watering is adjusted accordingly. Many of these sensors can be added to an existing traditional controller. There are two main types of soil sensor-based irrigation systems: suspended cycle irrigation systems and water-on-demand irrigation systems.
- Suspended cycle irrigation systems function much like the traditional timer controllers. They have watering schedules, start and stop times and set durations. The main difference is that the system is designed to stop when there is enough moisture in the soil
- Water-on-demand irrigation doesn’t utilize duration data. It operates based on start times and which days to water. All that is required is basic upper and lower threshold data, which controls watering when moisture levels fall outside of those values
FAQs
Sensors and controllers are the main parts of a smart irrigation system, but other factors should also be considered to make the most out of their benefits. Using water-efficient sprinkler heads and nozzles ensures that the landscape is being treated evenly and there isn’t any excess waste
Q. How much water can a smart irrigation system save?
A. According to the EPA, overwatering leads to as many as 4 billion wasted gallons of water each day in the United States. They estimate that an average household saves 15,000 gallons per year with an EPA-certified smart irrigation system, actual savings will depend on the climate and the client landscape
Q. Can a lawn be too big or too small for a smart irrigation system?
A. Zoning is important. The smart irrigation system will adjust to the needs of the client property, as long as zones are organized, an irrigation system should adjust accordingly
Consider that not all areas of the property will require the same amount of water. Establishing landscape beds in areas separate from grass helps to properly segment an area for efficient watering. Experts will agree that zoning is an important aspect to consider for smart irrigation efficiency