| - By Latika Deb and Anil Kaushal (Automat Industries Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi) |
| The concept of landscape irrigation has picked up in the country in last one-two decades. In the Western countries the landscape irrigation is in practice for a long time, however in India with the scarcity of water on the rise day by day and thereby increasing awareness for saving of the water available for irrigation, attention given by the Real Estate sector to the aesthetic look of the buildings constructed by them and non uniform application of the water through the conventional irrigation systems, the demand for the landscape irrigation has shown an increasing trend in the recent past and is likely to increase many folds in the future.
The Authors through this paper has attempted to provide a conceptual approach for landscape irrigation through the Pop-Up sprinklers. |
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History
Initially sprinkler, a mechanism in which the water is applied in form of a spray was used for irrigating lawn or the garden. These sprinklers were made of plastic or metal. The average American in the beginning used the inexpensive plastic/metal sprinkler and attached it to the garden hose so that the sprinkler disseminates the water evenly. The advent of the residential lawn sprinklers is inextricably bound with the desire of the Americans to cultivate the surroundings of their houses for fun and aesthetic reasons not for farming. They preferred to move to the places where there was space for gardens and there was urge to develop the lawn as hobby. Beautifying the home and the gardens were thought to strengthen the family. Thus the concept of landscape irrigation developed from the west. In India also it is now increasing at a steady pace.
Types of Sprinklers
Though different types of the sprinklers were used by the farmers, however the oscillating sprinkler with metal arm that sprays out a fan shaped curtain of water appeared to be most popular. Slowly the people started switching over to the Impact type sprinklers on QCV (Quick Coupling Valve) based system and with the passage of time the gear driven sprinklers gained popularity due to the fact that the uniformity of water application is high in case of gear driven sprinklers and the latest technology with water lubricated gear mechanism. Based on their design the sprinklers are of two type's viz. impact pop up and gear driven pop up. The basic difference between the conventional sprinkler and the pop-up sprinkler is that these are accommodated in a case which is placed in the soil with its head up and to the ground level and while operation the sprinkler body first pops out due the water pressure and thereafter works on the principles of overhead sprinklers.
Scope of Landscape Irrigation
The equipments for landscape irrigation being user friendly help to create and maintain, aesthetically pleasing landscape environment. The scope of application of the landscape irrigation is for the sites of the following:
Hotels/ Recreational Resorts
Sports Venues / Complexes
Embassies
Religious Sites
Cemeteries
Govt./ Public and Defence Sites
Amusement Parks/ Gardens
Air ports
Educational Institutions
Golf/ Race Courses
Real Estate Sector (Commercial/ Residential)
Industrial premises ( For using effluent treated water for the green area)
Need for Landscape Irrigation
In the conventional method of application of water with hose and hydrant, uniform application of water is far from achievable besides there is considerable wastage of water; requirements of more time and labour are eminent. Therefore for applying the water uniformly and judiciously for landscape irrigation Popup Sprinklers are the most ideal devices.
Requirements
In the execution of the any landscape irrigation project selection of a proper pop up sprinkler is very important. The other items which are required for any project is pipes (PVC/HDPE), Swing joints, filteration unit, valve box, automation unit, controller, solenoid valves etc. and a suitable pump for operating pop up sprinkler at desired pressure.
Benefits Over Conventional Irrigation
The landscaping through the pop up sprinklers has a number of benefits over the conventional methods of irrigation. These are uniformity of water application, saving of water, faster rate of irrigation, and savings in labour and power consumption, better and precise control in water application and esthetically better surroundings due to proper concealing of pipes etc. inside the ground. The benefits of the popup sprinklers over the conventional irrigation in quantitative terms is given in Table.
Latest Features Required in the Pop up Sprinklers
Gear driven type
Top graduated arc adjustment
Memory arc with position recall
Slip clutch mechanism
Part circle and full continuous operation
4 to 5 inch popup riser height
Optional check valve
Easy arc set adjustment
Heavy duty rubber cover
The specifications /features of the pop up sprinklers may for different landscape applications. |
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| S.N |
Description |
Pop up Irrigation |
Flood/Hose Irrigation |
Remarks |
| 1 |
Water Saving |
20000ltr/acre/day |
40000ltr/acre/day |
40-50% water saving |
| 2 |
Uniformity of Water (85-90%) |
Uniform Distribution |
Non-Uniform |
No dry patches & undulated area like mound can be irrigated |
| 3 |
Pump Horse Power |
3 HP (for 4-5 Acre) |
3 HP (for 1 Acre) |
Less Hp required/acre |
| 4 |
Operating Hours |
3Hr/acre |
5-6Hr/acre |
Almost half irrigation hours |
| 5 |
Electricity Consumption |
6.7KW/acre/day |
11-12KW/acre/day |
Half running cost |
| 6 |
Labor saving |
One person |
One person/3acre
(up to 20 acres) |
Operator can do other work during operation |
| 7 |
System Installation |
Concealed into ground (not visible) |
Hydrant/Hose are visible |
Esthetically better view and while in operation gives appearance of
fountain |
| 8 |
Irrigation control |
Controllable due to various range of nozzle |
Not controllable |
Can be automatic & manual |
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