From
Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities
January/February 2003
How To Calibrate Your Sprinkler System
Calibrating or determining the rate of water your sprinkler system applies to your lawn is an easy job. You can use the following procedure if you have an in-the-ground system or a sprinkler at the end of a hose.
1. Obtain 5-10 tuna fish cans, or other straight-sided containers to catch the irrigation water. Containers that are 3 to 6 inches in diameter work the best.
2. If you have an in-the-ground system, place the containers in one zone at a time. Scatter the cans at random within the zone. Repeat the entire procedure in every zone because there may be differences in the irrigation rates.
| If you use a hose-end sprinkler to water your turf, place the containers in a straight line from the sprinkler to the edge of the watering pattern. Space the containers evenly. |
3. Turn the water on for 15 minutes. then use a ruler to measure the depth of water in each container, then take the total measurement from all cans and divide by the number of containers. This will give you the average depth of water.
4. To determine the irrigation rate in inches per hour, multiply the average depth of water times four.
Now that you know your sprinkler system irrigation rate, you can more efficiently apply water to your turf. Use the table below as a guide for sprinkler times. For example, if the sprinkler system applies water at the rate of 2 inches per hour and you wish to apply 0.75 inches per hour, then you would need to run your sprinklers for about 23 minutes.
Don't let this be you!
Oliver Estates Sheet pile Project
The Stormwater Utility has recently completed a ditch stabilization project in Oliver Estates, off S.R. 44, west of New Smyrna Beach. The ditch has been the scene of numerous embankment failures, resulting in property damage and minor flooding. The solutions available were limited due to very tight working conditions, such as power poles, trees, and structures. The best available option was determined to be a product consisting of interlocking, heavy-duty vinyl panels. The sheets were vibrated and jetted into the ground, then tied back into the embankment using stainless steel earth anchors. Once in place, the sheet pile was backfilled to existing ground level and disturbed areas resodded.
|
Water-wise
Plant of the Month
Helianthus debilis grows low and spreads to form a dense ground cover in hot sunny locations. It is very attractive to butterflies and reseeds itself readily. If it becomes unsightly from frost or winter weather, mow and wait for new seedlings or sprouts to appear from the base of the plant. Plant in any spot with well drained soil that gets at least six hours of direct sun and watch these native Florida flowers turn their faces to follow the sun from sunrise to sunset. Height:
1/2 - 1 Foot |
Telemetry
In 1998 Volusia County Utilities purchased the first of 104 telemetry radio towers. The telemetry system effectively monitors the operations of the wastewater treatment plants, water treatment plants and county-operated lift stations from a remote location without actually driving to the site. Utilities’ Operations radio telemetry system consists of 92 lift station sites, nine water treatment plants, one wellfield, one reclaimed water golf course pond plus three forwarding telemetry units and one central based site. Our telemetry equipment now covers over 1,000 square miles.
Daily and weekly visits by personnel to check on wastewater and water sites have been significantly reduced. Service to the customer has improved because we once relied on the customer to report problems such as lift station failures or water pressure problems. As a result of our telemetry equipment, system failures are noted immediately, allowing manpower to make repairs immediately.
Volusia County Utilities Operations is always looking for ways to improve your service.
back to water resources and utilities
Comments or questions?
E-mail the
Volusia County, Florida.