Month: January 2011

Water quality is one of the most important factors when considering an irrigation system.  Poor water quality can be attributed to several factors.  Among them are organic and inorganic solids.  These solids may be suspended or dissolved or a combination of both.  The primary problem caused by these contaminates is plugging or clogging of orifices, particularly in drip or micro irrigation systems.  The solution to this problem is the installation of a water filtration system.

There are several options to choose from when considering a water filtration system for use with an irrigation system.  The type of water filtration system you chose is dependant on your water source and initial water quality.  The three filtration methods commonly used with irrigation systems are screen filters, disc filters and sand media filters.  Screen filters, as their name implies, use a screen to collect contaminates.  The screens are usually made of a stainless steel mesh, but are also available in plastic as well. Disc filter use a series of discs with grooves that are stacked and compressed on a spine, with the grooves on each disc running opposite the adjacent disc.  As the water moves through the disc system, contaminates are trapped and removed.  Sand media filters use a bed of sand to collect contaminants.  Sand media filters are cleaned by backwashing.  Backwashing forces clean water back through the media bed thereby dislodging the contaminants and piping them to waste.

To function properly, all filtration systems need to be cleaned frequently.  The poorer the water quality the more often the filter element will need to be cleaned.  Automating the cleaning process is the best way to ensure that it is done when needed.  Most automated filter cleaning processes use differential pressure to determine when the filter is dirty and requires cleaning.

Each water filtration method has its pros and cons and the best system for any specific situation depends on a variety of factors, including the initial water quality and the use of the water after filtration.  Keep in mind that filtration is a critical component of any drip or micro irrigation system and is not the place to skimp on costs.  Using a poorly designed or undersized filtration system can render you irrigation system useless if it allows plugging or clogging of emitters.

W. P. Law, Inc. is one of the Southeast’s leading suppliers of fluid handling equipment for farmers, contractors and industries. Founded in 1970 in Lexington, South Carolina, the company has six locations throughout the state. W. P. Law, Inc.’s reputation is built upon the experience and expertise to find economical solutions to customer’s needs. The company is currently providing a free residential irrigation design redeemable at any W. P. Law, Inc. branch. For more information, visit https://wplawinc.com or call toll-free 877-835-0893

 

Water control systems are a great way to save water and money.  There are many do-it-yourself water control systems available that include innovative new technology for even greater control and automation of your watering needs.

Saving money for your home or business is one benefit of using a water control system, but the water savings is also great for the environmentally conscious. With new developments in the technology of water controls equipment, saving water and money is easier than ever before, and in many instances, it’s possible to find do-it-yourself water control systems that work for you.

New Technology for Water Controls

New technology allows the irrigation controller to determine when and how much water to apply on a given day.  Using data obtained from on-site weather stations to calculate evapotranspiration (ET) or collecting data from soil moisture sensors, water system controllers can now all but eliminate watering unnecessarily.

Finding the Right Water Control Systems for You

When looking at the best water control systems for your business:

•   Look at your budget to find a system within your price-range.
•   Decide if you want to do-it-yourself or hire a professional for installation.
•   Be sure you know the industry standards to use (discussed in the next section) especially if you’re doing it yourself.
•   Choose a company that has a good reputation and offers good customer support.
•   Ask the experts when you need to.

Do-It-Yourself Water Control System Tips

To ensure you’re maximizing on cost savings and water conservation, your water control system should be designed and installed to meet certain industry standards. Use the following tips to make sure you are using and installing a sound water control system.

•   Follow the manufactures specifications and instructions.
•   Be sure to irrigate turf separately from shrubs.
•   Match the precipitation rate between heads.
•   Mixing rotary heads with spray sprinklers or misting type heads should be avoided.
•   Don’t waste water by throwing it over sidewalks and driveways. This can waste hundreds of gallons of water per cycle.
•   Irrigate different zones, like sunny zones vs. hillsides, separately.

Water control systems are great for the budget and environment, especially with new technology and do-it-yourself systems available, so find the right one that works for you.

W. P. Law, Inc. is one of the Southeast’s leading suppliers of fluid handling equipment for farmers, contractors, and industries. Founded in 1970 in Lexington, South Carolina, the company has six locations throughout the state. W. P. Law, Inc.’s reputation is built upon the experience and expertise to find economical solutions to customer’s needs. The company is currently providing a free residential irrigation design redeemable at any W.P. Law, Inc. branch. For more information, visit https://wplawinc.com or call toll-free 877-835-0893.