By Tom Barrett

As summer comes to an end and fall approaches, it is time to start thinking about preparing your irrigation systems for winter. Water expands when it freezes. Since automatic irrigation systems are usually buried only about twelve inches below the surface of the soil, water left in an irrigation system in freezing climates over the winter, even a mild winter, will certainly freeze — causing damage to pipes, fittings, valves, and sprinklers. Damage caused by a frozen irrigation system can be expensive and time consuming to repair next spring. Preventing winter damage by properly winterizing the irrigation system is important.

Using compressed air to force water out of the irrigation system is the most common method of winterization. However, irrigation systems equipped with automatic or manual drain valves do not require compressed air to winterize. Only the installing contractor will know if an irrigation system is equipped with automatic or manual drain valves. If you are not sure what type of irrigation system you are winterizing, then use compressed air. Using compressed air on an irrigation system equipped with automatic or manual drain valves will not harm the components of the irrigation system, and will ensure the irrigation system is properly winterized.

Selecting an Air Compressor

Sulliar 185 Portable Air Compressor

A properly sized air compressor is critical in effectively and efficiently blowing air into the irrigation system, forcing any water out. Air compressors are available in various sizes. The most common portable air compressor, which represents roughly 80% of the portable air compressors going into rental fleets today, is the 185 portable air compressor. This machine is rated at 185 cfm at 100 psi at full load. You can find one through a contractors’ equipment rental shop that is more than adequate to get the job done for most residential and commercial irrigation systems. Smaller 5 h.p. electric air compressors, although capable of delivering 100 psi, are not capable of delivering enough volume of air to adequately winterize an irrigation system.

Compressed Air Winterization

The first step in winterizing an irrigation system is to shut off the water to the irrigation system at the point of connection. The system shut-off valve may be a ball valve or gate valve located in the basement or directly after the water meter. Then open a zone valve to relieve the system pressure. Attach the air hose from the air compressor to the blow-out point. The blow-out point is usually located directly after the backflow device. The blow-out point may be a quick coupling valve, a hose bib, or a boiler drain. In this technical drawing the blow-out connection is the quick-coupling valve located in the valve box.

Winterizing an irrigation system with compressed air

A note of caution: The expanding air coming from the air compressor into the irrigation system will get hot and may melt the plastic pipe. Carefully check the temper- ature of the air-hose connection at the blow-out point. Slow down or stop momentarily if it feels too hot! Cycling through each zone two or three times for short intervals will prevent too much heat buildup.

Air Compressor Settings

Set the pressure regulator on the air compressor at 50 to 80 psi. On smaller residential systems, where the zones are typically about 10 gpm or less, open one electric remote control valve manually and cycle through all the other zones two to three minutes by manually opening each valve or by electrically operating each valve at the con- troller. Opening one valve manually will help to keep the air com- pressor from building up too much pressure while assuring an ade- quate volume of air to thoroughly blow out all the water in the sys- tem. On larger systems it may not be necessary to open one valve manually. Allow the air to flow through each zone until water and water vapor no longer appears from any sprinklers in the zone. Start with the zone with the highest elevation in the system or farthest from the point of connection, blowing out each zone successively toward the point of connection. It is a good idea to cycle through each zone two times to ensure there is no water remaining that might settle into a low point in the lateral pipe.

Automatic Drain System Winterization

Although using compressed air is the most common method for winterizing an automatic irrigation system, there are two other types of automatic irrigation systems. The first type is a system equipped with automatic drains. The automatic drains open when the system pressure falls below 10 psi. For these systems it is usually only necessary to turn off the water. Open a drain valve after the point of connection. Prepare the backflow device and controller for winter as noted below. Some irrigation systems incorporate automatic drain valves on the laterals and manual drain valves on the main line. The manual drain valves will be located in small valve boxes at the end and at low points on the main line. Open the drain valves, and allow the water to drain out completely. Then close the drain valve.

Manual Drain System Winterization

An irrigation system equipped with manual drain valves requires you to locate the drain valve for each zone and the main line. The manual drain is usually located in a small valve box at the end of the zone and at every low point. Also, the main line will have a manual drain at the end of the line and at every low point. Open each drain valve, allowing all the water to drain out, and then close the manual drains. Winterize the back- flow device and irrigation controller as noted below.

Backflow Winterization

Watts Frost Proof Pressure Vacuum Breaker

There are two backflow devices utilized in landscape irrigation systems. The most common is a pressure vacuum breaker. Open the top of the pressure vacuum breaker and remove the internal discs and springs. Storing these components near the irri- gation controller makes them easier to find next spring. Turn the handles on the two ball valves and all test ports to a partially open 45 degree position. Ball valves, when fully closed or fully open, will trap water in between the ball and the valve housing. The valve housing will crack during a freeze if not left partially open.

Some newer pressure vacuum breakers are freeze resistant, with a built-in relief valve to protect the internal components and the body from freezing. It is not necessary to remove the internal components in these devices.

The other type of backflow device used in irrigation system is a reduced pressure principle backflow device, or RPZ. It is usually best to remove this device completely during the winter and store indoors. Then cap the pipes to the irrigation system. If removal of the RPZ back- flow device is not possible, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for winterization. Each manufacturer has specific instructions for winterizing their reduced pressure principle backflow device.

Irrigation Controller and Rain Sensor Winterization

To prepare the irrigation controller for winter, simply turn the contoller to the off or rain shutdown position. You can also disconnect the power and remove the battery but this is not necessary. It is important not to allow the controller to cycle through an irrigation schedule without water in the system because the remote-control valves require water to move through the solenoid assembly to cool the assembly.

If your irrigation system is equipped with a rain sensor or a soil moisture sensor, it is not usually necessary to cover or remove the sensor for the winter. Check with the manufacturer to make sure the sensor does not require any special instructions for win- terization.

Pump Winterization

Submersible pumps, located in a lake or stream, have a check valve at the pump which needs to be removed to make certain the discharge hose does not freeze. It is adviseable to simply remove the pump and discharge hose from water each winter, reinstalling it in the spring.

Centrifigal pumps have a drain valve located at the base of the pump housing that needs to be removed and stored for the winter. The power supply for the pump should also be disconnect- ed to prevent the pump from being accidentally turned on with- out any water. A pump running without water will quickly burn up. Additionally, if the pump is drawing water from a lake or stream, the intake hose has a foot valve located at the base of the suction line. So it is necessary to remove the intake or suction line completely from the water and store it for the winter. Sometimes a check valve is also located on the discharge side of the pump. This check valve needs to be removed and stored for the winter.

Preparing an irrigation system for winter can be a complicated process. A knowledgeable professional is essential to minimize freezing water damage. An improperly winterized irrigation system can be an expensive proposition next spring.

You can download the Landscape Irrigation Catalog from the Apple Store or Rain Bird’s Website.

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Nov. 6-8, 2011 – San Diego, California

www.irrigationshow.org

The Irrigation Show is your one-stop event to address industry issues head on.

Discover Innovations

• Explore 200,000+ square feet of the latest equipment and services.
• Find smart solutions for water management.
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Make Connections

• Interact with industry experts all in one place.
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Build Expertise

• Increase productivity and profitability with targeted education classes.
• Monitor critical water management issues and best practices.
• Get certified and earn CEUs for a competitive edge.

This show means business. Learn more.

Private Equity firm Permira to buy 61 % of Israel’s drip irrigation company Netafim.

European private equity firm Permira today said that it will buy up to 61 per cent stake in the world’s largest smart irrigation company, Israel’s Netafim Ltd. Although Permira did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, several media reports suggested that the PE firm paid $870 million, including the assumption of $160 million of Netafim’s debts. London-based Permira is buying the stake from the three kibbutzim (local co-operative communities) Hatzerim, Yiftach and Magal and Israeli funds Markstone Capital Partners Group and Tene Investment Funds. Kibbutz Magal holds a 23-per cent stake in Netafim, Kibbutz Yiftach with 8 per cent, Markstone with 20 per cent, Tene holds 10 per cent and Kibbutz Hatzerim owns the remaining 39 per cent.

Who is Permira?

Permira is a European private equity firm with a global reach.

The firm advises funds with a committed capital of approximately €20 billion. Our funds, raised from pension funds and other institutions, make long-term investments in companies with the ambition of transforming their performance and driving sustainable growth.

The Permira Funds have made almost 200 private equity investments since 1985 and have returned close to €14 billion to their investors over the past decade.

Who is Netafim?

Netafim is the global leader in smart drip and micro-irrigation solutions for a sustainable future. Since introducing the world’s first drip irrigation solutions in 1965, Netafim has led the way by developing products that help customers optimize results.

The EPA’s WaterSense program invites you to its next Partner Forum on October 20, 2011, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. EST to update partners on:

·  WaterSense Certification System revisions and new product notification process
·  Tour of WaterSense Partner Website
·  ‘Partners in Action’ success stories and photos collection.

Click here to register for this webinar. If you have any questions, please contact the WaterSense Helpline at watersense@epa.gov or (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367).

We look forward to speaking with you on the call!

Sincerely,
EPA’s WaterSense Team

WaterSense® | U.S. EPA | 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (4204M) | Washington | DC | 20460

I’d Walk a Mile for a Camel.

Great feedback from the participants about this presentation!  A lot of people are confused, frustrated, and baffeled about websites and social media.

Below is a copy of this presentation. Contact me at (317) 674-3494 or email tom.barrett@thinkGWI.com if you would like any assistance in putting your website on Steriods.

 Key Points

• The look of a website is not any where near as important as the search engine optimization (SEO).

• Your website has to be searchable. The first thing a potential client does is checks your website. They find your website through Google or Bing.

• Social media works but it takes time, effort, and patience.

Comments

Great presentation with a lot of great information. This made a lot of sense to me.”

– Jerry White, The Brickman Group

This cleared up a lot the questions I had. Thanks for a great presentation.”

– John Tuttle, Tuttle’s Nursery

The utility originally asked for a 33.36 percent increase, citing millions of dollars in needed improvements, but was approved for 25.99 percent.

Typical home water bill are rising, says a study by Black & Veatch. This searchable table ranks monthly bill for homes using 15,000 gallons with No. 1 being the cheapest and No. 50 being the most expensive.

Surprisingly, if you lived in Atlanta or Boston, you would have one of the highest water bills. If you were in Las Vegas one of the lowest water bills.  Indianapolis ranks nineteenth.

Source: CNN U.S, Building Up America Series, August 14, 2011

What is News in the Irrigation Industry?

Some companies are thriving despite the economy. Learn from the experts and see what others are doing by finding opportunities where others see disaster.  Is your business ready to be one of the winners?

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Agenda

8:00 am –  9:00 am

Why a Website? Why not a Camel? I’d Walk a Mile for a Camel?

Tom Barrett, Green Water Infrastructure, Inc.

Confused? Frustrated?! Baffled?!! What is all the mystery about creating a website. The economy is at a crisis level and it is more important that ever that you spend your marketing dollars wisely and effectively. Websites have changed a lot over the last five years. You know you need a website, but do you know why? If you have not updated your site in five years, you need to. The purpose of a website is much different than it was five years ago. And with the meteoric rise of social media, your website will become more important than ever before.

Learn how the basics of website behavior have changed. Learn how to select a competent website developer, because it’s not about pretty pictures anymore. Learn how much you should pay or, even better, how much you should not pay for an effective website.

9:00 – 10:00 am

Safe Digging

Chuck Muller, Indiana 811

IUPPS strives to find efficient ways to bridge the gap between the Professional Excavators, Utility Locators and Utility Companies themselves.

Safe Digging is a shared responsibility between all aspects of the processes. There are some tools that we feel will help the Professional Excavator to better understand the process and how communications between the Utility the Call Before You Dig Center (IUPPS) and yourself can prevent costly delays and damages!

10:00 – 11:00 am

Achieving Green with Today’s Irrigation

Jim Davis, Land Tech Design

With LEED projects and “Sustainable-Sites” initiatives, it is extremely important to adopt new ways to approach handling irrigation in a responsible manner. Learn the basics of water-harvesting, and the reuse of that water by administering highly-efficient irrigation practices using ‘Water Smart’ products.

11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

The 25th Annual Summer Field day and World Famous Barbecue Luncheon

1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Irrigation Association Legislative Action

Chad Forcey, Irrigation Association

The Irrigation Association is creating an impact on the Federal, state and local level. The EPA’s Water- Sense program could provide an opportunity for you to grow your business. The Irrigation Associa- tion’s certification programs can separate you from your competitors. On the state level, new laws and regulations are being introduced that could impact how you do business. Locally, some communities are considering licensing laws.

Drought! It’s do or die time for your landscape. Landscapes are one of the most valuable components of a property. Not only do landscapes make our physical environment more attractive, they can be as transforming as a fresh coat of paint on a house. More importantly, landscapes are critical to remediating our environment. Trees, shrubs, perennial, annuals and turfgrass all help to clean our air and create the oxygen we need to breathe. Preserving a landscape during a severe drought can be one of the most challenging crisis in the landscape industry. Recovering from a severe drought is frustrating to say the least. Implementing a comprehensive strategy to restore the balance of the landscape is vital to the soil and the industry.

Preparation – It all starts with the soil

The soil is the lifeblood of the landscape. Soil, when properly maintained, encourages deep roots. During a drought, plant roots, the storehouse of plant carbohydrates, are the survival mechanism of the plant. Too often good soil management practices are completely overlooked in landscape management. We pay too much attention to the leaves of a plant and not enough attention to what is going on below. The foundation of any living system is in the roots.

Preparation for a drought starts with good cultural practices in the soil. Good soil aeration combined with proper fertilization encourages deep rooting. Plants will have greater success in withstanding the devastating effects of a drought if their root system has been cultivated to grow a deeper, more extensive root system.

Good soil preparation is not reserved for new landscape installations. Soil cultural practices, like aeration can be performed at anytime. Spring time is best because for most plant material spring is when a plant’s root development is most active.

Soil fertility and salinity or the amount of salt found in the soil, are important. In the spring, it is important to get a soil sample and have it tested at a soil lab. Once results have been analyzed, correcting any nutrient deficiency is the first step.

For turfgrass a spring aeration is essential to encourage deep rooted turf. Ideally, turfgrass should have rooting depths of 6 to 12 inches. The California Landscape Contractors Association recomends  the following to encourage deep water penetration, ”For trees and shrubs, drilling several holes 2 to 4 inches in diameter, 24 to 36 inches deep around the base of the plant will encourage deeper water penetration and deeper rooting.  Filling the holes with compost will encourage healthy soil mirco-biological activity.”

Mow turfgrass higher and be careful about applying too much nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen encourages top-growth of grasses at the expense of developing a strong root system.

Deep infrequent irrigation cycles also encourage deeper rooting. Mulch, properly placed around trees and shrubs also helps to preserve soil moisture.

Wilt – It is all about Water Management

When a drought happens it is important to have a plan and priority. Trees come first. Trees are expensive to replace. The loss of a the shade from a tree will increase the evaporative water losses in the surrounding area.

After establishing a healthy root system, pay close attention to the leaves of all plants. The leaves are the best indicator of a plant’s water need. When turfgrass starts to turn bluish-green it is time to add water. The wilt symptoms of many trees and shrubs will exhibit leaf folding. Sometimes the leaf folding will also display a slight change in color.

Do not fertilize during a drought. All fertilizers contain salts that will rob the plants of any moisture in the soil. Avoid fertilizing the plants until they have recovered. Fertilizing after a severe drought will usually increase leaf and stem growth at the expense of root development.

Do not prune during or immediately following a drought.

Apply water slowly and deeply to the soil. Reduce evaporative water losses by watering after the sun goes down.

Most importantly, physically check the moisture level of the soil. The soil may look dry on the surface, however with a soil probe or a six inch screwdriver stuck into the ground you can accurately determine how deep and how dry the soil may be.

Recovery – Water, Water, Water

Recovering trees, shrubs, and turfgrass after an extended drought is different for each type of plant. Water, water, water is the key to successful recovery, however the proper watering cycle for each type of plant is different. Monitoring the soil water level during the process will help insure a more successful recovery.

Trees require deep infrequent watering. Gently soaking the soil to a depth of 36 to 48 inches is important. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again. It is critical to avoid light frequent waterings that will only penetrate the soil to a depth of a few inches. This will result in shallow roots.

For shrubs watering to a depth of 18 to 24 inches is important. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again.

Recovering turfgrass is the most demanding watering regimen.  Initially, light frequent waterings are important.  Continuously monitor the soil moisture level with a probe or a screwdriver. Once the turf has started to recover a deeper less frequent watering schedule can be resumed.

After severe water stress all plants types slow in growth because their metabolism has been significantly reduced for survival. The water initially applied will be slowly absorbed by the plant. Water absorption by the plant will be dramatically reduced until the plant starts to become healthy again. Once the plant material starts to regain its health, it will rapidly use water.

Understanding how a plant recovers from severe water stress is vital to recovery. Nutritional and watering needs vary widely from plant to plant and from location to location. Careful soil monitoring is key to returning plants to a healthy balance following a severe drought.

In nature drought is natural part of the environment. Most native and well established plants can withstand a considerable period of time without rain. Maintaining and protecting landscapes during a drought is worth the effort when compared to the cost and time required to reestablish a landscape. The best defense against drought is a strong offense. That offense starts with a solid plan, good preparation, and the desire to work with nature to restore the balance she intended.