Irrigation Maintenance

  1. Spring activation and testing of existing systems. Each spring turf irrigation systems are activated and systems are checked thoroughly.
    1. Point of connection (P.O.C.) to make sure that backflow devices on the system are working properly and there are no leaks.
    2. Determine there are no “main line” leaks by confirming no water flow through water meter and by observing turf areas.
    3. Testing electric remote valves to assure proper opening and closing of each valve.
    4. Observe head function, reset sprinkler heads out of alignment, repair or replace any damaged heads and/or upgrade sprinkler head types to improve water distribution performance.
    5. Inspect controller and set controller to operate either manually or automatically. Repair, replace or upgrade controller if needed.
  2. Summer service (In use) Supervisors in each area are responsible for operating and scheduling watering of turf in that area.
    1. Setting system to control watering of turf areas.
    2. Use of quick coupler in the system to water plants/shrubs and in needed turf areas.
    3. Adjust controller to meet the needs of seed or newly laid sod grass.
    4. Observe performance of system and report leaks, malfunctioning heads, valves, or controllers to the irrigation crew for repair or replacement.
  3. New Installations Standards
    1. Design shall consider plant/soil relationship in determining sprinkler head type and its precipitation rate.
    2. Irrigation systems are constructed with high quality material using Class 21 PVC for pipe, preferred Hunter and/or Rain Bird products for sprinkler heads, valves, and controllers.
    3. Irrigation systems to be installed in a good workmanship, professional manner.
    4. New irrigation systems shall include an automatic rain shut off, solar sync sensor, or an E.T. smart timer for water usage efficiency.
    5. New irrigation systems shall be tested for distribution uniformity with a goal of meeting a factor of 75%.
    6. Drawings of new irrigation system shall be delivered to Irrigation Department for record keeping.
  4. Water Audits Chosen by random, or by reported problems. We will operate sprinkler systems and will watch for water run‐off or coverage issues.
    1. Repair obvious leaks or damaged heads.
    2. Strategically place water catch cups to test systems distribution uniformity.
    3. Replace heads or nozzles to create improved watering coverage and uniformity factor, also reducing run off.
    4. Adding rain sensor or other efficient water saving devices to system.
  5. Winterization of Systems
    1. Keep record of each system and its P.O.C.
    2. List all systems that need to be blown‐out by air compressor to protect PVC pipe during winter and proceed.
    3. List all systems that have drains and locations where drains need to be open for proper preparation of winterizing system and proceed.
    4. List all systems that need to have backflow devices removed and stored, and proceed.
    5. Protect backflows during winter and protect pipes where backflows have been removed.
  6. Maps and Records
    1. The Irrigation crew keeps maps and records of all irrigation systems installed on UNL campus and updates changes as they occur.
    2. Maps and records are referenced to when new diggings or plantings are about to occur on campus.