Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/520737
TREND: Smart irrigation control New technology is allowing irrigation to become smarter by taking both environ- mental factors and plant or turf needs into consideration. We know what water- ing requirements a particular plant has, for example, and now we're able to in- stall controllers with sensors and smarter programming to better understand the plant's location, topography and climate. TREND: Pressure regulation Advanced features and designs in emis- sion devices are also combating waste. High water pressure contributes greatly to water waste, using millions of extra gal- lons a year and creating very thin, misty spray patterns that drift off course rather than landing where they should — on the plants or turf. When that happens, home- owners tend to simply increase system run times, which can lead to exponen- tially higher water use. Using what we call "PRS" or "Pressure Regulating Stems" in Rain Bird rotors and sprays, we can con- trol water pressure at each head to ensure optimal head pressure and performance throughout a system. TREND: Improved nozzle technology Nozzle technologies have also improved. For example, Rain Bird's HE-VAN (High Efficiency Variable Arc Nozzle) and RVAN (Rotary Variable Arc Nozzle) nozzles use thicker streams of water and lower trajec- tories to fight wind drift and improve the amount of water landing in the intended target area (a concept referred to as "DU" or "distribution uniformity.") Contractors who install these components in new sys- tems — and as an easy upgrade to existing systems — can help their customers save an amazing amount of water. TREND: Wider acceptance of drip irrigation During the past 20 years, the popularity of drip irrigation has increased exponen- tially, and for good reason. Today, most contractors share the basic understand- ing that, when properly used, landscape low-volume, drip irrigation products can save significant amounts of water. These products can also help keep water off walls, windows, sidewalks and streets. At the same time, the use of these products promotes healthier plant growth because water is delivered more slowly and at lower pressures at or near plant root zones. Water loss due to evapotranspiration is virtually eliminated. And, while drip irrigation was previously intended primarily for plants and shrubs, products like Rain Bird's XFS Subsurface Dripline are now making it possible to even irrigate areas of turf grass with this highly efficient technology. TREND: Efficient irrigation without the guesswork Smart controllers can be programmed one time and can adjust automatically with weather conditions throughout the year, preventing multiple time-consuming trips back for seasonal adjustment. Emis- sion devices (rotors, sprays, and dripline) can be purchased pre-calibrated for pres- sure, and nozzles are a simply plug-and- play device which allows for immediate water efficiency in most cases. In evidence of this trend, municipali- ties and water agencies throughout the United States are offering rebates on these types of water-efficient irrigation com- ponents. These rebates not only make it more affordable for homeowners and contractors to install these devices at little to no cost, but they also increase overall consumer awareness of the need to use less water. Smart Irrigation TRENDS IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT 8 Smart Irrigation Special Edition www.landscapeirrigation.com On average, the right combination of irrigation technology can help sites use approximately 30 percent less water.