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IRRIGATION FEATURE

Golf course irrigation audit Recording of data

Performing the audit is made up of flags, pressure, wind and
Irrigation audits can be performed every flow meters, catch cans as well as various
three to five years, or even annually in measuring tapes.
certain areas. During the audit, the auditor
will: Outcomes
• analyse the client’s water requirements The outcome of an audit will provide the
according to the site’s particular conditions client with an overview of the irrigation
using a system hydraulic analysis; system once installed. Audits are normally
• put together one or several irrigation conducted when a system reaches the
schedules based on these requirements, halfway mark of its expected lifespan,
as well as the availability of water in the usually 10 -15 years. In South Africa, it has
area; become common practice to conduct
• take note of and make maintenance an audit when the service contract has
recommendations that are more reliable ended. This ensures that the outgoing
and cost-effective than current systems; service provider company has fulfilled its
• determine short and long term risks obligation in terms of maintenance and/or
associated with current systems, while to ensure that the incoming maintenance
also protecting the potential savings to service provider is receiving a functional
be made from these recommendations. system.

Additional observances during the audit A well designed and installed landscape
will include monitoring wind speed, water irrigation system has a lifespan of 10- Testing the running pressure
pressure, head locations and spacing, 15 years, whereas that of a sports turf
soil types, root zone depths and meter irrigation system can be as much as 20
readings. years. Such a system, in an ideal operational
environment, will normally require nozzle
A typical audit includes a visual inspection replacement and controller upgrades.
of the irrigation system, evaluation of Some systems will unfortunately require
distribution uniformity, determination of major upgrades due to sub-standard
the precipitation rate and the landscape’s design or installation work, which will
watering needs and lastly, a review of the result in increased maintenance costs and
irrigation schedule. loss of landscape.

In terms of carrying out the audit, If clients perform a monthly irrigation
gathering of information beforehand service during the growing season and
is critical to ensuring that the audit is an overall pre-season start-up service,
conducted within the allocated time the benefits will be reaped by extending
to provide the client with as much the lifespan of the irrigation system and
feedback as possible, especially regarding minimising the cost of ownership.
underground services. Once all the
information is available, it can be verified Information sources
on site, feedback given to the client and Turfmanzi Irrigation
recommendations can be offered. https://turfmanziirrigation.co.za
University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA
With regard to equipment needed, an www.umass.edu
irrigation audit is mostly labour and time
related. An audit kit is required, which Photos courtesy of Turfmanzi Irrigation La Crosse technology anemometer n

Landscape SA • Issue 117 2022 19