An irrigation audit, however, is like any other inter-
nal examination. It reveals performance strengths,
structural weaknesses and procedural opportuni-
ties. Moreover, an irrigation audit can provide field
managers and grounds superintendents statistical
data for building a blueprint to improved turf condi-
tions, reduced expenses, and the turf industry Holy
Grail—water conservation.
There's no better evidence for budget requests to
upgrade a facility than a cost-benefit report to your
board, council, commission or CEO. An effective
irrigation audit delivers sound projections for annual
savings in water, power, personnel, maintenance, turf
and equipment replacement, and more. Connect
that with a dollar amount, and you're in business.
Irrigation audits generate concrete information
for the boardroom, but as importantly, for your
frontline maintenance crews. They're the day-to-day
managers with eyes on the ground. Your techni-
cians are key to handling acute problems, like lateral
breaks, broken heads or plugged nozzles, while alert-
ing you to more chronic conditions that begin to
Irrigation & Drainage | By Luke Frank
SprInkler auDItS
yIelD water SavIngS,
fInancIal opportunItIeS
30 Sportsturf | August 2014 www.sportsturfonline.com
"Audit" is not A word thAt brings About positive feelings
of personal harmony or financial well-being. A mere mention of the word can
evoke a physiological response: sweating palms; involuntary twitches; a creamy
gray pallor.
Doing the math at an
irrigation audit workshop at
the STMA Regional meeting
in Cincinnati in 2012.
