Low Volume Irrigation Class Being Offered

Here is a class being offered by the Florida Irrigation Society on low volume irrigation. Below are the specifics. To attend contact the Florida Irrigation Society 813-839-4601.

Skip Wright, representing the Florida Irrigation Society, will teach a 4-hour class on low volume irrigation at the District’s Tampa Service office on July 2. The cost is $85 for non-FIS members. The registration form is attached.

Course Title : LOW VOLUME IRRIGATION


Course Description:

Increasing emphasis on water conservation as well as the passage of many local ordinances has emphasized the use of low volume irrigation. The course will serve as an overview of the use, design and installation of low volume irrigation.

Course timeline - Summary – 4 hours total.
1. Introduction to low volume irrigation – Time 15 minutes.
3. Understanding general irrigation design considerations - Time - 45 minutes.
4. Understanding of Pipe sizing - Time – 30 minutes.
5. Understanding of equipment selection - Time – 60 minutes.
6. Understanding of low volume design and layout issues – Time – 30 minutes.
7. Management of low volume irrigation. Time – 30 minutes.
8. Examination – Time – 30 minutes.

COURSE OBJECTIVES - DETAILED TIME LINE

1. Introduction to low volume irrigation systems – Time - 15 minutes.
Identifying the general design considerations including, water source, plant materials, plant groupings, and soil types.
Identifying the advantages of low volume irrigation including water conservation, controlling soil moisture, use of low pressure water supplies, reduced weed growth, reducing liability by reducing chance of slips and falls and no spray on building foundations.
Identifying the disadvantages including high maintenance, frequent visual inspection of plant material, filtration and pressure control, pipe & tubing exposed, and consumer’s lack of confidence.

2. Understanding general irrigation design considerations - Time - 45 minutes.
Explaining definitions related to irrigation in general and low volume in specific.
Describing the overview of irrigation components/design.
Describing Water sources including potable, reclaimed pump/well. Pump/surface water, and pump sizing considerations.
Explaining Plant material evaluation – Type of plants and plant groupings.
Describing the different Soil types and the use of low volume for course,
medium and fine soils.

3. Understanding of Pipe sizing - Time – 30 minutes
Explaining sizing considerations for PVC pipe.
Explaining sizing considerations for poly pipe.
Explaining sizing considerations for “spaghetti” tubing.

4. Understanding of equipment selection - Time – 60 minutes.
Emitter types and uses.
Controller selection.
Backflow considerations.
Filter use.
Automatic valve selections.
Flush Valves
Air/vacuum relief valves.
Pressure reducers.

5. Understanding of low volume design and layout issues – Time – 30 minutes.
Hydro zoning - Different irrigation methods should be separated.
Separate trees from shrubs.
Flushing considerations.
Run time consideration.

6. Management of low volume irrigation - Time – 30 minutes.
Maintenance considerations.
Scheduling considerations.

METHOD OF COURSE PRESENTATION – Course will include power point presentation on low volume, student work sheets on low volume design, and group discussion.

METHOD OF EVALUATION - Examination – Time – 30 Minutes.