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.