An irrigation system with distribution uniformity of 50 percent requires twice as much water as an optimally efficient system. Although this inverse relationship seems intuitive at first glance, it’s not something that front of mind among landscape contractors or irrigators on a daily basis.
Perhaps it should be, especially in dry climates like
Monzón, who has worked in the irrigation industry for more than 15 years and conducts training on a variety of topics, says she developed this session because of resistance she’s observed among contractors to embrace ET-controller technology and use it to its full potential.
What’s the missing link? There are two factors, she says. The effectiveness of ET controllers depends on two things:
· How accurately field data provided to the controller reflects the existing field conditions
· The performance level of the irrigation system
That all-important field data includes: plant material (plant type, root-zone depth and microclimate considerations like orientation, shade and wind); soil conditions (soil texture and degree of slope); and the irrigation system (type of technology, precipitation rate and distribution uniformity).
“This is the degree of knowledge I need to manage my landscape, whether I schedule the irrigation or the controller does,” says Monzón. Before making the switch to ET controllers, contractors should have a firm understanding of how to locate, calculate and observe these factors in the field, if they don’t already know how. Because, “if you’re putting in generic information, you’re going to get generic results,” Monzón says.
Regarding system performance, irrigators should understand how to calculate distribution uniformity and precipitation rate. Finally, a preventive irrigation maintenance program is necessary, she says. “System performance declines with every operation due to pedestrians and maintenance equipment.” Water managers must work with maintenance crews to identify and repair operational problems in a timely manner.
To hear Monzón discuss the essential field data required before an ET controller can be optimally effective, listen to this Lawn & Landscape podcast, "Tips for ET Controller Effectiveness."