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<br />Take Pressure Readings: Pressure readings are taken on spray zones, and when <br />possible rotor zones. The design of rotor heads makes it difficult to accurately <br />check the pressure. The proper pressure for fixed heads is between 20 and 30 PSI; <br />proper pressure for rotor heads is between 50 and 70 PSI. The proper pressure <br />will vary between brand names. <br /> <br />( <br /> <br />Recommendations are given to adjust pressure to conform to optimum standards <br />by installing pressure regulators at the point of connection, valve box, or at each <br />sprinkler head. High pressure causes misting and evaporation, and can cause <br />heads to break. Low pressure can cause low distribution uniformity depending on <br />how far apart heads are spaced. <br /> <br />During the audit, an informational sheet is left with the client which outlines all of the <br />above findings. The auditor clearly goes over the findings, recommendations for <br />improvements and the reasoning behind these recommendations and the best <br />management practices that are suggested. Another data sheet is compiled solely for the <br />CRC and includes client contact information, landscape measurements, system pressures, <br />distribution uniformities, precipitation rates and root depths as well as any other <br />important findings. <br /> <br />In the later part of the year, the data is compiled and collected and entered into a master <br />database (compiled of data for both 2004 and 2005) for analysis. Additional data <br />collection and input includes that of water records for the past five years of the properties <br />for which audits were performed. This is very time consuming and tedious work, not only <br />for the volume of data, but in the time it takes to access water records from municipalities <br />and to convert them into a format that is suitable for our needs. The purpose for <br />analyzing water records is twofold: by comparing the amount of outdoor water use to the <br />irrigated landscape size(measured during the audit) an estimate can be made of how <br />much a landscape is over watered. Historical evapotranspiration rates in inches are set as <br />the benchmark to which to compare outdoor water application amounts to. To calculate <br />outdoor water use from monthly water records, a formula is used which averages the <br />amount of water used during the non-growing season (January - April and October- <br />November) and extrapolates that to be monthly indoor use during the summer. The yearly <br />indoor water use is subtracted from the total yearly use to reach total outdoor water use <br />for the year. Further calculations convert outdoor water use in gallons to inches applied to <br />the landscape. Another goal in subsequent years is to compare the amount of water used <br />prior and following an irrigation audit to quantify how much water the program is helping <br />to conserve annually. Results from Utah State University's irrigation audit program, <br />analyzing four years of data, showed on average a 20% reduction in household water use <br />following an audit. The CRC expects to witness similar results. <br /> <br />(~- <br /> <br />The data that is collected is analyzed and the number and type of systems audited are <br />included in a final report to demonstrate the findings of the program. Published are the <br />percentage of systems falling below industry standards of efficiency in regards to <br />distribution uniformities, pressure, and root depths for systems in each community <br /> <br />( <br /> <br />7 <br />