Mr. Brickman

Architecture & Design

Keeping the Green - A Guide to Cost-Effective Irrigation

By Scott B. Brickman, CEO, Brickman

Many hotel executives are aware that wasting water costs money. But with increasing demands on many municipal water supplies, frequent and increasingly severe droughts and a broadening concern for the environment, it has become more important than ever to control the flow of this precious limited resource. Irrigation expertise and advances in irrigation technology, however, provide a ready, proven solution to a major source of water waste.

Building a relationship with a trusted landscaper can help hotel executives understand their hotel property's irrigation needs, protect their landscape investment and improve their bottom line. Although savings depend on prior water usage, studies show that proper irrigation techniques often save property owners 20%-40% annually on water bills (irrigation.org). A landscaper can provide guidance in understanding which type of landscape would be most appropriate, and most efficient, for a specific property based on a range of factors such as climate, appropriate plant species, property size and location.

Hotel executives should consider the entire irrigation system and develop an ongoing process for its evaluation and upkeep-from installation, to maintenance, to troubleshooting to any necessary on-site repairs. Existing systems should be thoroughly reviewed before a new system is installed or a renovation is initiated. A water audit will reveal how existing irrigation water is being utilized and determine the best irrigation system to implement. The audit will identify common problems such as water spraying onto sidewalks, old and faulty nozzle heads and inefficient nozzle head placement and size. Even wind drift, caused by a poorly installed nozzle or poor head placement, can cause significant water loss.

Once an audit is completed and the appropriate irrigation system is set into place, seasonal inspections on a regular basis will ensure that the site's system is running efficiently. In addition to maintaining a properly running system, these inspections will help determine how the watering schedule should be adjusted in relation to the changing landscape.

The landscape which is being watered can be just as important as the irrigation system itself. Deciding which plants to incorporate into the landscape is an important factor. When nature does not provide enough rain, there is sometimes a tendency to over water the landscape to compensate, which can lead to plant diseases and wasted water.

However, by choosing climate appropriate plant materials and considering sun exposure, natural rainfall, soil-type and other factors, water waste can be greatly minimized. Evapotranspiration, the measurement of total water needed to grow a plant, will help in determining which plants will work best for any given hotel property.

There are several types of irrigation system which you may consider installing. Working with your landscaper, you will be able to determine which system, or combination of systems, is best for your property.

Drip irrigation has become a popular option for commercial landscapes. This highly efficient system uses "drippers" to maximize the moisture level in the soil by slowly applying water directly to the plant's roots. This process limits the amount of water that is lost due to sun or wind, and maintains the appropriate moisture level right in the soil where growth occurs.

"Microsprinklers" are often used when plants cover an odd-shaped area or an area too large for "drippers" to be practical. "Microsprinklers" disperse water over a wide area and are typically spaced farther apart than "drippers". The water application rate is higher than a "dripper" but less wasteful than a traditional sprinkler. Some experts have found that "drippers" are more effective in heavier soils and "microsprinklers" in coarse sands, but a variety of factors need to be considered. An experienced, knowledgeable landscaper will be able to determine which system is best for each application.

A highly effective approach to irrigation, once reserved for large resorts, is now finding its way onto smaller hotel properties, due to lowering costs. Smart Water Application Technologies, commonly known as SWAT systems, use high-tech sensing equipment to maximize efficiency. Weather and evapotranspiration-sensing equipment adjust the water application to suit conditions as they change. These "smart" systems provide just enough moisture to keep the landscape looking healthy without wasting a drop. A well-planned, expertly installed system will also account for other environmental factors, such as slopes and soil density to eliminate water run-off, over-saturation and other water waste.

By regularly inspecting your hotel property's irrigation system, you will be able to keep your grounds looking great while keeping the use of water to a minimum. Your landscaper can help ensure that you're minimizing water usage by ensuring that sprinkler heads, valves and other components are working properly.

Understanding the value of preserving water can have its rewards. Not only will you be able to utilize water wisely and avoid waste, you will benefit your bottom line as well.

The conservation of water and other natural resources has become so important for the long-term sustainability of the environment, that not only will you save on the cost of water; some irrigation systems will now even earn you a tax deduction. This may help explain why an increasing number of hotel executives are re-designing their property's landscaping with conservation in mind.

Another benefit of efficient, effective irrigation is the prevention of plant-loss. Many forms of common landscaping vegetation can fall victim to over- or under-watering. Dead vegetation is an eye-sore, reflects poorly on a hotel's management and costs money in raw materials and labor to remove and replace. Proper irrigation will ensure that your investment in landscaping will last, and look its best.

Before engaging a commercial landscaper, make sure the company has experience with advanced irrigation. Your landscaper should be able to perform an audit of your property and current systems in order to aid you in the process of determining which irrigation system, and which landscape, would be most appropriate for water conservation. When you have a strong partnership with your landscaper, you will have a better understanding of the needs of your hotel property. You will also get the best and most cost-effective means to keep your grounds in the best possible condition. Your property will not only look better, it will perform better, too.

Scott Brickman is CEO of Brickman, the largest commercial landscape maintenance firm in the U.S. Brickman provides landscape maintenance and snow removal services to a wide variety of hospitality and hotel clients across the country. Mr. Brickman joined the Company in 1986 and in 1998 became a Director of the Company and was appointed Chief Executive Officer. His tenure with the company includes serving as a project director and a regional manager, and prior to 1998 he had responsibility for the Company's Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast operations. Mr. Brickman can be contacted at 301-987-9200 or scottb@brickmangroup.com Extended Bio...

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