5.8 Recommended Irrigation Equipment & Practices

REGION 5 - CENTRAL VALLEY REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD

The State Water Resources Control Board has jurisdiction throughout California. Created by the State Legislature in 1967, the Board protects water quality by setting statewide policy, coordinating and supporting the Regional Water Board efforts, and reviewing petitions that contest Regional Board actions. There are nine regional water quality control boards that exercise rule-making and regulatory activities by basins.

Irrigation systems are to be designed for water effi ciency according to the Model Water Effi cient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). It is important that irrigation designer and installer have a thorough knowledge of Best Management Practices (BMP) regarding the athletic fi eld irrigation systems. For existing irrigation systems it is recommended that an irrigation audit be performed for each park facility in order to determine current water use effi ciency. Each facility should strive to achieve an effi ciency rating of 70% or better or a minimum reduction of 25% water use over current usage.

CONTROLLERS

1. All controllers (replacement and new) and their associated accessories are to be compatible with the TORO Central Control System 2. Controllers are to be housed in a secure lockable pedestal mount

PUMPS

1. All pumps are to VFD (variable frequency drive) types 2. All pumps are to be housed in a secure lockable cage 3. All pumps for new parks are to be recycled water compatible

VALVES

1. All valves are to be pressure compensating and adjustable 2. All valves for new parks are to be recycled water compatible

SPRINKLERS

1. All shrubs beds to be drip irrigated. Drip lines should be installed at grade, pinned, and covered with bark mulch for ease of access. 2. All athletic fi elds are to use rotor sprinklers with matched precipitation nozzles 3. All sprinklers and drip lines for new parks are to be recycled water compatible

PIPES

1. Mainline pipes are to gasket fi tted Pressure PVC Pipe that conforms to

ASTM D2241 for standard dimension ratios and is available in SDR 17 (250 psi) 2. Lateral line pipes are to be Cl 200 3. Fittings for PVC pipe 4 inches and larger shall be gasketed fi ttings, preferably ductile iron. Pipe fi ttings 3 inches and smaller shall be gasketed, solvent welded or push-on style 4. Thrust blocks are required at all turns and at dead ends 5. For new parks all pipe and fi ttings are to be recycled water compatible 6. All pipes are to be new, stored outdoors for more than a period of 3 months

MAINTENANCE

1. A qualifi ed experienced person with large scale water management systems should be hired to monitor the Central Control System to maintain water effi ciency and minimize labor costs 2. A three year cycle of irrigation audits for all parks should be standard 3. A landscape and turf management plan should be established in conjunction with the Central Control System 4. Retain the local University of California Cooperative Extension as a consultant for on-going turf management