Archive for August, 2010

Irrigation Design Planning List

Monday, August 30th, 2010

As a property owner, when you inquire about getting an irrigation system installed, you would be concerned about the detailed dynamics involved in designing irrigation systems.

An Irrigation Association certified design company is required to present to the client an Irrigation Design Plan that includes:

  • Site-specific information like site map, landscaped area for each hydrozone, prevailing wind direction during normal period of sprinkler system use, heritage trees and reference to local information regarding location of subsurface utilities
  • Identification and location of all irrigation components including points of connection and locations of water meters, station/zone valves, flow sensors, backflow prevention devices, “smart” controllers, and sensors
  • Basic hydraulics (pressure losses and calculations) like static water pressure, valve and pipe sizing criteria and recommended system dynamic (working) water pressure
  • Station/zone and hydrozone information for each station/zone or hydrozone
  • Design of monthly irrigation water budget
  • Seasonal (or annual) irrigation water budget
  • Monthly and seasonal landscape water allowance
  • Monthly irrigation schedule (for each station/zone)
  • Source of local historical or current evapo-transpiration data
  • Source of local historical or current rain data including sources used such as the National Weather Service, local weather channel, local weather station (state location) and state cooperative extension service
  • Recommendation for frequency of irrigation system inspection
  • Pumps (if required)
  • Component warranty and product literature (provide to owner)
  • Recommendations for water conserving devices like rain shut-off device, soil moisture sensors, high-wind shut-off device and automated control system
  • Copy of The Irrigation Association’s “Irrigation Consumer Bill of Rights”

If your irrigation design firm does not follow through with this list, find one who does.  Contact us at Flora Terra Landscape Management to learn more.

Posted in Landscape Renovation, Water Use Reduction | No Comments »

Flora Terra Now Certified Landscape Auditor

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor San Jose, San FranciscoFlora Terra Landscape Management is proud to announce that its owner, Gene Ebertowski, has become officially certified as a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor throughout the USA, and practicing locally here within the San Francisco Bay Area.

Certified landscape irrigation auditors are involved in the quantification of landscape irrigation water use, including the collection of site data, making maintenance recommendations and performing minor repairs, performing field measurements and observations, determining irrigation uniformity and efficiency, developing a basic irrigation schedule, and working with a water manager or property owner to manage overall irrigation water use.

Certification is issued through the Irrigation Association and must demonstrate experience in the field before being eligible.  An on-site audit is submitted for review by an Irrigation Association certified auditor, and a comprehensive written test must be passed.

Gene is one of very few Certified Landscape Auditors in the San Jose / San Francisco area.  Flora Terra has been a leader in water management and irrigation services, and is an EPA Water Sense Partner and CLCA Certified Water Manager.

For more information, contact Flora Terra Landscape Management at 408-275-1200.

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Proper Irrigation System Maintenance

Friday, August 20th, 2010

A well-designed irrigation system needs regular maintenance to ensure that it continues to efficiently and uniformly distribute the water, ensures optimum growth and management of your plants and trees, and help you to conserve water resources.

A comprehensive irrigation system maintenance plan should include:

  • Periodic maintenance schedule for inspection
  • Periodic review of the system components to verify that the components meet the original design criteria for efficient operation and uniform distribution of water
  • Assurance that the replacement hardware used for system repairs matches the existing hardware, and is in accordance with the design
  • Ensure that system modifications are in keeping with design specifications and do not cause landscape water demand to exceed the hydraulic capacity of the system
  • “Winterization” protocol wherever required and a subsequent process for system activation in the spring

By maintaining your irrigation system’s health, you are ensuring that your landscape will benefit from years of proper watering and feeding cycles.

Posted in Sustainable Landscaping, Water Use Reduction | No Comments »

Sustainable Irrigation System Planning

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Even though common irrigation design and installation guidelines are not difficult to follow, large scale adoption of these best practices is yet to happen here in Northern California. Every year in July through September, the demand for water required for irrigation is at its peak. As a property owner or commercial complex manager, you can do your part to conserve water resources by installing a well designed irrigation system; one that is adapted to the local needs and is economical, practical and sustainable. 

Your sustainable irrigation system design plan should:

  • Meet all applicable state and local codes including plumbing and electrical codes.
  • Specify manufacturer, model, type, and size of all components to eliminate ambiguity at construction and to facilitate management of the system.
  • Minimize installation and maintenance difficulties
  • Identify a water source that meets peak demands and ensure protection of the water source in accordance with state and local requirements.
  • Specify a metering device for commercial and residential installations
  • Design the layout of heads and other emission devices for zero overspray across or onto a street, public driveway or sidewalk, parking area, building, fence, or adjoining property
  • Use drip/micro-irrigation where appropriate to reduce evaporation losses and surface runoff
  • Provide a monthly irrigation water budget

Need help with it?  Give us a call at 800-455-0304.

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Advanced Irrigation Control Systems Have Many Benefits

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

 “Smart” property owners adopt “smart irrigation” methods to counter high water demands during the summer and early fall months in Northern California. A well designed irrigation system that uses advanced irrigation control systems is economical, practical and sustainable. 

Here’s how you can benefit from installing advanced irrigation control systems:

  • Automatic adjustment of irrigation schedule based upon recent rain events, local weather conditions, and soil moisture within the root zone.
  • Reduced water use
  • Overall savings in the labor required to monitor and integrate current (real-time or daily) data into irrigation schedule adjustments
  • Continuous balance in the changing requirements of the landscape with the changes in the  environment

Flora Terra provides expert irrigation control system design and installation services for commercial complexes, medical campuses, business parks, retail and industrial properties, estate properties and home owners’ associations in all areas of San Jose, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Livermore Valley, Walnut Creek, and the Napa region.

Give us a call if you would like to learn more.

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Smart and Efficient Design of the Irrigation System Delivers Optimum Performance

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Water efficiency must be considered from the initial irrigation system design phase through installation to ensure optimal performance. Consistent management and maintenance is also essential. Failure to do so can result in losing more than 50% of irrigation water due to evaporation, wind, poor management, and/or improper system design, installation, or maintenance.

Whether installing a new irrigation system or retrofitting an old one, there are many options to improve water efficiency. Some of the best management practices for smart and efficient design of the irrigation system for maximum performance are:

  • Assure overall quality of the irrigation system
  • Install the irrigation system to meet the design criteria
  • Maintain the irrigation system for optimum performance
  • Manage the irrigation system to respond to the changing requirement for water in the landscape

A sensible balance of automation with landscape and irrigation management can result in attractive, water conserving landscapes.

Flora Terra can help you with the design and installation of an irrigation systems that delivers great performance ongoing and helps use water wisely. Contact us online or call us toll free at 800-455-0304 to discuss your irrigation system requirements.

Posted in Water Use Reduction | No Comments »