Protector del Agua:
Residential - The
Residential portion of the Protector del Agua program is a 3 ½ to 4 hour
class that presents a basic overview of water supply, irrigation, soil and
plant information aimed at the homeowner.
The class is taught through a series of slides, using basic terms
and concepts. Some hands-on demonstrations and irrigation displays are used
to help give participants a better understanding of irrigation hardware
and soil relationship.
Protector del
Agua: Landscape Water Management - Designed for Landscape
Professionals, this course consist of six (6) consecutive classes in
landscape water management, each 3 1/2 hours long and each building upon
principles presented in the preceding class. The series begins
with basic irrigation principles of soil-plant-water relationships and
concludes with irrigation scheduling. The following is a synopsis
of each class:
(1) Basic Irrigation Principles: A
comprehensive workshop addressing the principle factors in landscape
irrigation. Concepts presented here are the foundation to sound
landscape water management. Topics include plant water needs, soil
characteristics and types of irrigation. Demonstrations
illustrate how to determine plant water needs, how to manage irrigation
in various types of soil, and also provide a graphic understanding of precipitation
rates and how they affect irrigation system uniformity
(2) Irrigation System Adjustment
& Repair: Participants learn the importance of regularly
adjusting irrigation systems and the value of the early detection and
repair of irrigation system problems. Principles shared also
emphasize the negative impact of poorly adjusted irrigation systems on
water use, plant health, irrigation uniformity, and damage to
surrounding property. "Hands-on" demonstrations enable participants
to practice these principles by making adjustments and repairs to a
portable irrigation system.
(3) Irrigation System
Troubleshooting: This session focuses on the analytical
approach to solving irrigation system failures. Three areas of
potential problems are examined: mechanical, hydraulic and electrical.
Workshop participants will receive practical training in the use of
electrical troubleshooting equipment, as well as an opportunity to
demonstrate these skills during the hands-on portion of the session.
(4) Basic Controller
Programming: A fully hands-on workshop in which a Rainbird ISC,
and an Irritrol MC Plus irrigation controller will be provided for every
two participants. Each participant will learn basic controller
features while programming sample cases in the class.
(5) Advanced Controller
Programming: Building on features and principles learned in
the prior class, participants will be exposed to advanced controller features
as they implement schedules which take into consideration
temperature/seasonal changes, rain and landscape activities or demands
which limit irrigation times.
(6) Irrigation Scheduling: This
session focuses on two critical questions: When to irrigate? and
How much water to apply? A variety of field techniques and methods
are presented, as well as technical aspects to be considered while
scheduling irrigation. Each class participant will be finished
with tools to use while scheduling landscapes for which they may be
responsible.
Protector del Agua: Plant
Identification Class -
This class has been developed to help
conserve water through proper selection of landscape plants.
Highlights of the class include a slide presentation, plant identification
exercise, a plant walk and a hydrozone exercise. Hands-on
activities help the participants better understand plant water use, the
concept of microclimates, and Xeriscape design. This new and
exciting class takes six hours to complete.
