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WaterSense
Revised Draft Irrigation Audit Guidelines for
WaterSense Labeled New Homes
May 8, 2009
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SCTISC Revised Draft Irrigation Audit Guidelines for WaterSense Labeled New Homes
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After the irrigation system is installed, a WaterSense irrigation partner must conduct an audit of
the system. EPA prefers that the auditor be independent of the irrigation system designer and
installation professional. If this is not the case, indicate what the irrigation partner's role was
during design and installation on the WaterSense Labeled New Home Irrigation Audit Checklist.
EPA recommends that the irrigation partner conduct the audit according to the Irrigation
Association's Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor Training Manual (2004). The audit shall
include, but is not limited to, the following components:
A. Distribution Uniformity Calculation
Determine the lower quarter distribution uniformity (DULQ) of the system using the catch-can
method or soil moisture probes. This test shall be conducted according to the Irrigation
Association's Recommended Audit Guidelines and shall include areas of turfgrass only. The
results of the test shall be recorded on the irrigation audit checklist. A DULQ of 70 percent or
higher must be achieved to meet Criterion 4.2.4.
B. Verification of Specification Criteria by Visual Inspection
Conduct a visual inspection to verify the following specification criteria are met. The results of
the visual inspection shall be recorded by the irrigation partner on the irrigation audit checklist.
• The irrigation system operates without leaks (Criterion 4.2.2).
• There is no runoff or overspray from the irrigation system that leaves the property during
a minimum continuous operating duration. The WaterSense irrigation partner will
determine the minimum operating duration based on landscape conditions and irrigation
system design and record it on the irrigation audit checklist (Criterion 4.2.3).
• The irrigation system includes technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the
irrigation system during periods of rainfall (e.g., rain sensors) (Criterion 4.2.5).
• Irrigation controllers contain the following features (Criterion 4.2.6):
1. Multiple programming capabilities - shall be capable of storing a minimum of
three different programs to allow for separate schedules.
2. Multiple start times (cycling, cycle/soak, stackable start times) - shall be capable
of a minimum of three different start times to allow for multiple irrigation cycles on
the same zone for areas prone to runoff.
3. Variable run times - shall be capable of varying run times, for example from one
minute to one hour.
4. Variable scheduling - shall be capable of interval scheduling (minimum of 14
days) to allow for watering on even day scheduling, odd day scheduling, calendar
day scheduling, and interval scheduling.
5. Percent adjust (water budget) feature - shall include a "Percent Up/Down Adjust"
feature (or "Water Budget" feature) such as a button or dial that permits the user
to increase or decrease the run times or application rates for each zone by a
prescribed percentage, by means of one adjustment, without modifying the
settings for that individual zone.
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Revised Draft Irrigation Audit Guidelines for WaterSense Labeled New Homes
6. Capability to accept external soil moisture and/or rain sensors.
7. Non-volatile memory or self-charging battery circuit.
8. Complete shutoff capability for total cessation of outdoor irrigation.
Sprinkler irrigation, other than as part of a microirrigation system, is not used to water
plantings other than maintained turfgrass (Criterion 4.2.7).
Sprinkler heads, other than as part of a microirrigation system, have a 4-inch or greater
pop-up height and matched precipitation nozzles (Criterion 4.2.7).
Microirrigation systems include, at a minimum: pressure regulators, filters, and flush end
assemblies (Criterion 4.2.8).
Verify that two schedules have been created and are posted by the irrigation controller
(Criterion 4.2.9):
• A schedule for the initial grow-in phase.
• A schedule for the established landscape.
Both irrigation schedules shall be seasonal in nature, reflecting the varying irrigation
needs throughout the year. In addition, schedules shall comply with local water
restrictions.
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Site Information
Builder Name:
Lot Number/Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
System Designer (name
Irrigation
and company):
System Information
System Installer (name and company):
Additional Comments:
Audit Information
Date:
Time Started:
Time Ended:
By affixing my signature below, I do hereby declare that I have audited the irrigation system in
accordance with the Water-Efficient Single-Family New Home Specification and the Irrigation
Audit Guidelines for WaterSense Labeled New Homes. If requested, I will provide the necessary
supporting documents.
WaterSense Irrigation Partner Name:
Company Name:
Signature:
Date:
Version 1.0
May 8, 2009
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A. Lower Quarter Distribution Uniformity:
Irrigation system lower quarter distribution uniformity (DULQ) is _
B. Verification of Specification Criteria by Visual Inspection:
Item
Criterion
Yes
No
Nf
Outdoor Water-Efficiency Criteria - Irrigation System Design
Leaks
Overspray
DULQ
Rainfall
shutoff
device
Irrigation
controller
Sprinkler
irrigation
Sprinkler
heads
Micro
irrigation
system
Schedule
4.2.2
4.2.3
4.2.4
4.2.5
4.2.6
4.2.7
4.2.7
4.2.8
4.2.9
The system operates without leaks
System prevents runoff and overspray from leaving the
property
Duration tested:
Minimum of 70%
System includes a technology that inhibits or interrupts
operation of the irrigation system during periods of rainfall
(e.g., rain sensors)
Contains the following features:
o Multiple programming capabilities - shall be capable of
storing a minimum of three different programs to allow for
separate schedules
o Multiple start times (cycling, cycle/soak, stackable start
times) -shall be capable of a minimum of three different
start times to allow for multiple irrigation cycles on the same
zone for areas prone to run off
o Variable run times - shall be capable of varying run times,
for example from one minute to one hour
o Variable scheduling - shall be capable of interval
scheduling (minimum of 14 days) to allow for watering on
even day scheduling, odd day scheduling, calendar day
scheduling, and interval scheduling
o Percent adjust (water budget) feature - shall include a
"Percent Up/Down Adjust" feature (or "Water Budget"
feature) such as a button or dial that permits the user to
increase or decrease the run-times or application rates for
each zone by a prescribed percentage, by means of one
adjustment without modifying the settings for that individual
zone
o Capability to accept external soil moisture and/or rain
sensors
o Non-volatile memory or self-charging battery circuit
o Complete shutoff capability for total cessation of outdoor
irrigation
Not installed on plantings other than turfgrass. Note: This
excludes components of a microirrigation system
Have a 4-inch or greater pop-up height and matched
precipitation. Note: This excludes components of a
microirrigation system
Includes a pressure regulator, filters, and flush end
assemblies
Two seasonal water schedules (one for initial grow-in phase
and one for established landscape) are posted at the
controller
Not installed
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