Sprinkler Smarts
Collin County cities Allen, Frisco and McKinney have joined forces to host a free event designed to educate you on your sprinkler system and encourage smart landscape watering practices.
“Outdoor watering is the highest water usage in our cities. This event will provide residents with the tools to practice sprinkler smarts, using watering systems in an efficient way to conserve water and save on water bills,” said McKinney’s Office of Environmental Stewardship Manager Julie Smith.
At the 2011 event, licensed professionals were on hand at eight different stations to provide participants with tools to best utilize their outdoor watering system. Stations included uniform sprinkler head distribution, water supply information and pressure regulation. Participants who visited all eight stations were entered in a drawing for prizes like ET Controllers and other accessories for sprinkler systems.
We look forward to hosting Sprinkler Smarts again in 2012. The following video shows highlights of the 2011 event.
Sprinkler Smarts Stations (Click on picture to enlarge)
1.
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North Texas Municipal Water District provided a standalone information booth with information on the water supply, and an interactive “game” on where your water goes
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(1).jpg "Interactive Game on Where Your Water Goes")
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.jpg "Woman Explaining Bulletin on Water Consumption")
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2.
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At an above ground simple irrigation system; licensed irrigators explain what is installed below ground; how the valve works to allow water into the pipe and come through the spray heads; and “head to head” spacing.
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.jpg "People Getting Information at Irrigation Tent")
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3.
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Simple repairs on spray heads and rotors. Learn the inside workings of the head; how to replace nozzle/filter; explain when seal/stem leaks occur head may need replaced; how to adjust direction of spray. Learn about instrument necessary for arc adjustment/nozzle flow on rotor heads; how to change a nozzle; understand correct nozzle size dependent upon “arc”; and low flow rate.
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.jpg "Public Learning to Replace Nozzles and Filters")
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.jpg "Woman Demonstrating How to Replace Sprinkler Nozzle/Filter") |
4.
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Pressure regulation demonstration. Learn about high pressure manifold and see comparison of heads.
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.jpg "Men watch Sprinkler Pressure Demonstration")
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.jpg "Man watches Sprinkler Pressure Demonstration") |
5.
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Distribution Uniformity: Learn why head to head spacing effects the uniformity of the system. See comparison of system with proper spacing and incorrect spacing.
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.jpg "Woman presenting Sprinkler Demonstration")
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.jpg "People observe Sprinkler Demonstration") |
6.
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Controllers: Learn about the most common residential controllers from the major manufacturers. Learn about features on controllers like cycle/soak; seasonal adjust; proper scheduling for two days per week, etc.
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.jpg "Sprinkler Residential Controller Information Table") |
.jpg "Sprinkler Residential Controller Information Table")
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7.
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Sprinkler check-up. Learn how to identify problems and how to make repairs. |
.jpg "People learning about Sprinkler Repair") |
.jpg "Man demonstrating Sprinkler Repair") |
8.
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Manufacturer's Representatives
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.jpg "People at Manufactures Tent") |
.jpg "Man Viewing Sprinkler Display") |
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.jpg "People at Manufactures Tent") |
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