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CA NEWS
Water Matters
Consider a cycle and
soak program when
watering turf
Submitted by Carlton M. Mathis,
Common Area and Irrigation
Superintendent
Healthy turf requires A representative from USAA will provide information about a reduction in
a minimum of 3/4” of
water a week to sus-
tain it through the
hot summer months.
This may not keep it
as green as the golf
course, but it will allow it to survive until Date,” focusing on replacing smoke detectors 10 years after the manufacturing
cooler, wetter months return in the fall.
How much is 3/4” of water? A pop-up spray
head zone has an average precipitation
rate of approximately 1.5”/ hour. To ap-
ply 3/4” of water in a week, this zone will
have to run a total 30 minutes during
that week. If you water twice a week, that
would be 15 minutes on each water day.
For a rotor zone, including rotary nozzles,
the average precipitation rate is 0.5”/hour,
which would require 90 minutes/week,
which is 45 minutes/water day.
Watering 15 minutes on a spray zone is
a long time and will most likely result
in water running off into the street. It
would be best to implement a cycle and
soak program. More plainly, divide the
necessary watering time by three and
give the program three start times. For
example, five minutes for a run time and
start times of 1 a.m., 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
Watering in increments gives the soil ad-
equate time to soak up water. Once the
water from the first round of watering
is absorbed, water again about an hour
later. The already moist soil will enable
additional water to travel even deeper to
the roots and, in turn, create a healthier
landscape.
WATER MATTERS TEAM
Do you need help with your irrigation sys-
tem controller? Would you like a thorough
evaluation of your irrigation system? Con-
tact the Water Matters Team via email
([email protected]) or through systems: emitter lines and point direct.
your Neighborhood Rep.
10 | SUNRAYS SEPTEMBER 2016
Firewise Town Hall
Tuesday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m., SCB; Broadcast live on Channel 18
Submitted by the Firewise Group
A Firewise Town Hall will be held October 4 at 9:30 a.m. in the Social Center
Ballroom. The town hall is free and open to all Sun City Texas residents.
homeowners’ insurance for those who live in Firewise recognized communities
and have USAA as their insurance provider. By working with the national
Firewise program, USAA recognizes that loss from wildfires is reduced in
communities with such a program.
The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Don’t Wait – Check the
date. How old is your smoke detector? Representatives from the Georgetown
Fire Department will provide information about the importance of working
smoke detectors and other information of interest.
The Texas A&M Forest Service will have information about wildfires and
steps that can be taken to reduce loss if a wildfire occurs.
Drip irrigation in flower beds
helps conserve water
Submitted by John Shideler, member, Modifications Committee
Drip irrigation is a very good conservation transmission line roughly ½” in diameter
program for Sun City Texas residents. If supplying water directly to individual
and when you decide to change your flower plants through a smaller ¼” hose and
beds in the future, it is recommended that emitter connected to the transmission
you ask your landscape representative line.
to give you a quote on installing drip in All drip applications should have a
your beds. pressure reduction device as well as
a water filter to protect the system
Drip irrigation efficiently distributes from high pressure and impurities in
water to your plant’s root system. the water. Most major irrigation parts
Standard spray heads deliver water manufacturers have combination devices
measured in gallons per minute, while that offers this protection.
drip irrigation is measured in gallons
per hour. State law stipulates that drip ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
irrigation cannot be used on the same
irrigation valve that serves spray heads.
When designed and installed properly,
this alternative to standard sprinkler
systems prevents water from being
wasted through evaporation, overspray,
wind and/or surface runoff.
There are only two major types of
Emitter lines are made of flexible polymers
with special emitters strategically located
at measured distances, normally 9, 12
or 18 inches. These lines are installed
directly in beds and arranged in and
around large groupings of plants.
Point direct is comprised of a flexible