I was honored to have an opportunity to share my story with Lindsey Getz of Lawn and Landscape. My thanks to Lindsey for writing an excellent piece and to her editors for choosing to publish my story.

Our innovative, cost-conscious solutions achieve excellent results for clients, whether they’re starting from the ground up or dealing with an old problem.

Vision House 2011—New System Design & Install

This irrigation design produces 0% runoff, minimal evaporation and exceeds 70% increased efficiency over standard systems. Enhanced technology provides relief from day-specific watering and reduced turf limitations.

Residence—System Renovation & Controller Upgrade

Enhancements to the mature 7-zone system have reduced water consumption 32%, decreased water costs over 60% and maintains the best lawn in the neighborhood.

Estate Property—Renovation & Water Management

A basic system renovation, installation of soil moisture based controls in each zone and our water management services saved this client thousands off their water bill in less than 6 months.

Since 1997, our staff utilizes innovative technology, industry proven best management practices and honest evaluations to provide our clients with the most comprehensive, sustainable water solutions possible.

Superior Techniques & Methods

Soil moisture sensing technology                                  Irrigation system mapping

Weather-based or ET controls                                       Alternative water sources

Coverage corrections & renovations                         Water management & scheduling

Drip conversion                                                               SMART controllers

Leak detection                                                           Freeze & wind controls

For more information on our services or to schedule an on-site evaluation

call 407.302.4455

email info@clearwaterpsi.com

We look forward to the opportunity to speak with you

The intent to achieve Florida Water Star’s Silver certification is a priority for the project. The landscape palate includes Empire Zoysia turf carpeting the front yard with a blend of Florida friendly plants incorporating raised beds, trellis’ and containers of edible landscaping.

The parcel immediately presents the challenge of a mature camphor tree in the southeastern quadrant of the front yard and heavily compacted soil throughout the site. The native soil contains reasonable organic content in a base of sand. The water source is an irrigation meter supplying potable water which underlines the requirement to conserve. We identify micro climates and collect samples of soil and water for testing of properties that will sustain the landscape.

Superior Water Conditioners non-chemical water treatment unit was installed to prevent hard water scale build up and extend the life of the low flow irrigation components. Mineral deposits clog emitters physically reducing water availability to the landscape and consistent applications of calcium and magnesium reduce the soil’s permeability. Superior Water offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly option to prevent such occurrences. Conditioned water accelerates the transportation of nutrients in the soil and transfers minerals to the root system faster than unconditioned water, enhancing water efficiency.

Low volume irrigation throughout the landscape is required to meet Florida Water Star’s program prerequisites. RainBird’s XF dripline is chosen for the landscape beds and designed in a 12″ grid for maximum root zone coverage for enhanced plant development during the grow-in phase, increasing health and sustainability.

Subsurface dripline is determined as the most efficient method of irrigation. RainBird’s award-winning XFS-SDI is selected to sustain the Zoysia turf. This method is estimated to reduce zone water consumption by 20%, emits water at the roots and virtually eliminates waste due to evaporation and system runoff. The turf area is the most challenging portion of the project as it incorporates underground utilities, a down-gradient slope towards the street, a mature tree’s expansive root system bordered by a narrow strip of turf. Installing a 12″ grid of subsurface dripline is an undeniable challenge for the field staff but the longterm benefits outweigh any obstacles.

Water management is crucial to insure efficient consumption.  Water Optimizer’s soil moisture sensor based control system is installed with sensors located in each of the 7 zone and provides  internet-accessed management and review of system operation and water schedule. Our clients have effectively enhanced landscape appearance while reducing water consumption and landscape maintenance costs with the Water Optimizer system.

This residence was awarded Florida Water Star’s Gold certification largely due to the 100% low volume irrigation design and water management system. To find out more about our innovative irrigation designs and renovations, products or field services visit Clear Water PSI or call 407/302-4455.

Honestly, it’s for the same type of work that I have directed my company, Clear Water Products & Services, Inc. (Clear Water PSI) over the past 13 years, we were “green” before it was cool to be green. For us it’s somewhat more of the same daily tasks – getting the word out and providing efficient irrigation methods and technology to Central Florida property owners. Be it a new design or engineering a renovation of a mature system, we strive to provide consumers an avenue to effectively water their landscapes while protecting our water supplies from overuse and insuring reduced run off from irrigation to protect our surface waters and environment.

As an irrigator, I realized early in my history that the majority of system owners were unaware of the powerful tool that provides water to their landscapes. They are not aware that their system can consume thousands of gallons of water with a single push of a button. Further, most do not realize that excessive consumption is happening regularly as standard controllers are left on the same setting for 52 weeks out of the year while the landscape requirements change on a frequent basis due to natural alterations in the weather.

The assessment method that I developed years ago to efficiently evaluate properties has been utilized by several local municipalities and purveyors over the years. Our small team of auditors and field service personnel are trained to “read” mature systems to identify the most effective method to reduce water consumption. As the majority of irrigation systems are under-designed with limited coverage and zones that are not selective to landscape material, much less micro-climates, the cost of efficiency renovations can be excessive with little to no return on this investment within a five-year period. Unfortunately this small incentive combined with the current state of our economy has limited our ability in implementing renovation projects as the true cost of water has not yet been transferred to the consumer.

New technology has been released that provides automatic alterations to water use based on current weather conditions. ET (evapo-transpiration) controllers have the ability to provide a new level of automation that is geared towards efficient irrigation. The principles are in place — the true test of effectiveness comes from the field and the contractor who handles the implementation of the installation. Many cases have been reported to increase water consumption which does not aid in the industry’s efforts for efficiency. These units are not quite “plug and play” and require follow ups with adjustments to dial them in to the property’s requirements. The manufacturer’s predetermined settings are typically not adequate to achieve the ultimate benefits of this technology. Systems that include on-site weather stations will eventually require cleaning and calibration of monitoring components. Systems utilizing off-site weather stations may require connections via paid subscriptions for automatic download of weather information.

Soil moisture sensor technology is becoming more widely utilized by the industry in some areas of the country. Clear Water PSI has over 150 installations in Central Florida consisting of several brands of this technology. The ultimate system includes remote monitoring via cell phone and internet communications which allow system alterations with a few clicks on the keyboard. Other systems include a LED screen which allows on-site alterations to settings. The manufacturer’s methods of setting thresholds provide a reasonable baseline for water management but additional adjustments to the settings improve the system’s water efficiency.

More water management systems are available which brings greater efficiency to a standard controller by replacing the rain sensor with an enhanced version of the device. Wind, solar radiation, temperature and rainfall are all managed by one small unit an effective and budget conscious upgrade that converts mature systems to a SMART controller but is limited to only this manufacturer’s equipment.

Inventors and manufacturers are submitting ideas into the pool of new technology that will connect to any existing controller. These upgrades to SMART technology will undoubtedly enhance efforts to automate standard timers to weather-based alterations and should prove to be relatively affordable. Great advancements of affordable automation providing increased water conserving equipment is on the horizon.

A certain level of commitment should be applied when implementing these new technologies, whether it is completed by the contractor or the property owner, to insure the system is maintaining the landscape with minimized water consumption or more importantly, that the reduced water consumption is properly maintaining the landscape. This commitment may extend to the majority of one year depending on the location, existing irrigation design and condition of the landscape. The need to alter the irrigation system’s design and coverage is most evident during the driest portion of the year, with only mild indications throughout the remainder of the calendar.

Monitoring the landscape truly never ends as we are maintaining a living area that is sustained by a hydro-electric-mechanical system prone to failure and damage. At best, a property owner should walk the landscape each month to identify and adjust the controller and complete minor head adjustments. Contractors should promote services that include monthly, bi-monthly or seasonal adjustments to insure landscapes are well maintained by the irrigation system.

In essence, it’s all in a days work as our staff and I continue to promote efficient irrigation to property owners, purveyors and contractors alike. We can do this better, we can effectively maintain our landscapes and reduce water consumption and eliminate the harmful effects to our environment. SMART controllers which are getting the majority of the attention are just the beginning as there are many more components that must be addressed in order to provide efficient irrigation to a consumer.

Judy Benson receives award from Nancy Stoner, EPA's Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water

Mrs. Benson was recognized for her foresight in implementing efficient irrigation methods, technology and education to increase the awareness of water use and water quality pertaining to irrigation for the general public and local contractors. In a male dominated industry, Benson has received national recognition for her passion and achievements to improve water issues within the green industry.

Each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes the best partners in four categories at increasing water efficiency and awareness of the WaterSense label across the country. This year, EPA recognized Judy Benson of Clear Water Products & Services, Inc. located in Winter Springs, Florida as the 2010 Irrigation Partner of the Year in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 6. Benson was selected from the responding applicants and over 1000 irrigation partners within the WaterSense program.

Mrs. Benson founded Clear Water PSI in 1997 and has provided central Florida residents and businesses with relief to high water bills and inefficient irrigation systems. In an area where water appears to be plentiful, many areas of Florida are impacted by reductions in groundwater and increased water quality issues. Benson has spent the past 13 years working towards positive change to these situations – one property at a time.

Utilizing a passion for the environment and over 25 years of experience in the water industry, Benson has dedicated countless hours of effort in promoting efficient use of water for irrigation. Her consulting and contracting firm has completed over 5,000 irrigation evaluations and renovations to improve irrigation coverage and overall health of landscapes. Clear Water PSI implements the newest technology available in the green industry including remote monitoring and soil moisture sensors or ET/Weather-based controls for water management.

“New technologies are available for controlling irrigation water consumption, but the true test of a good consultant or contractor is in identifying the cause of over watering.” Benson states. “Simply installing a new controller rarely solves water use issues and can actually create damage to expensive landscapes. We achieve results unsurpassed by others, providing reduced water bills and virtually eliminating harmful run off of fertilizers and other chemicals which damage our lakes and rivers. Our clients receive return on their investment while protecting the local environment.”

Benson has achieved multiple licensing and certifications including irrigation designer, contractor and irrigation and landscape auditor recognized by the EPA’s WaterSense program and utilizes this knowledge in designs for new construction and mature system renovations. Additionally, Benson is a licensed water treatment professional and is knowledgeable in local water quality issues. Clear Water PSI staff hold license as State of Florida Water Well Contractor and certifications with American Rainwater Catchment System Association (ARCSA).

Previous recognition in June 2010, Benson was the recipient of St. Johns River Water Management District’s Bob Owens Award for volunteer work with the Florida Water Star program and is an active member of the district’s Water Conservation Subgroup Committee. Benson and her staff received Orange County Utilities’ 2010 B.E.S.T. Partner award (Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow) earlier this year.

Mrs. Benson is a WaterSense inspector providing services throughout the state of Florida and maintains three irrigation certifications required for new home certification within the burgeoning volunteer green build program.