Did you know that the Irrigation Association’s annual Irrigation Show is the world’s biggest trade show dedicated to irrigation professionals?
It’s where the irrigation industry comes together to network, learn and promote irrigation.
Register by Nov. 1 to save on education classes, full registration and exhibits. Discount housing is also open, and attendees can book their hotel online.
To download the Irrigation Association’s 31-page Registration Brochure, click here.
Collaborative Effort
This year’s Irrigation Show is being co-located with the National Ground Water Association and American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association.
The collaboration hopes to provide an action-packed week focused on the one resource we all strive to manage responsibly — water.
The show floor will give you a firsthand look at all of the latest products, services and technologies in landscape irrigation to help you expand your business, satisfy customers and grow your bottom line.
With two days to explore the exhibits, you can:
Inspect the latest technologies at the new product contest and watch the judging
Find solutions to ancillary landscape markets such as ponds, waterscapes and outdoor lighting.
Check out new and innovative products, and services.
Explore new suppliers.
Learn about the latest business trends and irrigation best practices.
For exhibitor information, including booth space fees, assignment, and a 2019 floor plan, click here.
Educational Opportunities
One of the top reasons for attending the Irrigation Show and Education Week is the comprehensive educational offerings.
Education Week offers five days of seminars, technical programs and education classes conducted by some of the industry’s leading experts and researchers. You can discover the latest cutting-edge research, technologies, techniques and best practices in landscape irrigation, while earning valuable CEUs.
This year’s “Industry Insights” promise to take the educational sessions to a whole new level. Here’s a taste of the new and different topics being offered during Industry Insights:
The Irrigation Consumer Bill of Rights
Mobile apps for water conservation in turfgrass
The H-2A & H-2B guest worker program
Severe weather and ways to protect your crew and clients
Social media and how to use it in your business
Rainwater collection Wi-Fi technology and how to incorporate it in your business
Research updates and reports from around the country
These sessions vary from 30- to 90-minute formats and include everything from single presentations to panel discussions.
Certification Exams
Exams for the following certification programs will also be available at this year’s Irrigation Show:
Becoming a certified WaterSense professional demonstrates to your customers that you have the knowledge and experience to help them save both water and money.
And certification entitles you to exclusive EPA benefits. Such as:
Work opportunities for new home projects, federal facilities, and LEED® projects.
Use of the WaterSense promotional label on business cards and marketing items.
Increased exposure to customers through national recognition from EPA as an environmental steward.
Access to helpful tools and materials created by EPA.
Certification Programs
WaterSense offers the following certification programs for landscape irrigation professionals:
Irrigation System Design Program
The design program teaches you how to tailor irrigation systems to match the surrounding landscape and local climate conditions. This course is offered by the national Irrigation Association.
To become a Certified Irrigation Designer (CID), you must:
Register for the exam. Recommended: three years of irrigation-related experience or education in an irrigation-related field.
Pass the general landscape/turf exam. The four-hour general landscape/turf exam includes 150 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on irrigation equipment, hydraulics, system components, scheduling, precipitation and application rates, spacing, soil-water-plant relationships, efficiency/uniformity, economics and pumps.
Pass a landscape/turf specialty irrigation exam. Candidates have four hours to complete a specialty exam in commercial, golf course or residential landscape irrigation. See the Certification Candidate Handbook for details on specialty exam content. Candidates may not take both the general landscape/turf exam and one of the landscape/turf specialty exams on the same day.
Irrigation System Installation and Maintenance Program
The installation and maintenance program teaches you how to select the appropriate equipment, lay out the site, and ensure proper scheduling for optimal irrigation system performance.
To become a Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC), you must:
Register for the exam. Recommended: three years of irrigation-related field experience.
Pass the irrigation contractor exam. The 3½-hour exam includes 150 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on irrigation design, irrigation installation, irrigation scheduling, water management and conservation, maintenance and repair, federal laws and codes, and general business management. Candidates have 3½ hours to complete the exam.
The irrigation auditingprogram teaches you how to identify systems that are distributing water unequally or inefficiently and determine how to improve performance.
Are You Already Certified by the IA?
If you already have an Irrigation Association certification, and wish to become WaterSense certified, you’re in luck!
All you have to do is apply for the WaterSense certification and agree to uphold the terms of the WaterSense Partnership Agreement. No fees are required to become a WaterSense certified partner if you already hold an Irrigation Association certification.
To become a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA), you must:
Pass the irrigation auditor exam. The three-hour exam includes 125 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on irrigation audit procedures, soil-plant relationships, irrigation scheduling and equipment/technology.
Submit a landscape irrigation audit. Audits must be completed independently and verified by an IA-certified professional in good standing within one year of acceptance into the certification program. (See audit guidelines and worksheets.)
The WWLP training presents a holistic watershed approach to outdoor water use efficiency, emphasizing plant, soil, water relationships, and rainwater as a resource. Certified professionals assess the proper functioning of irrigation systems, perform irrigation water audits, recommend watering schedules, and conduct whole-site evaluations. This certification also requires a solid understanding of the principles of watershed management in the landscape. The program is available throughout the United States.
To receive this certification, you must:
Complete the two-day (16 hour) WWLP coursework offered in your area by a G3 Qualified WWLP Trainer.
All exam fees for programs offered by the national Irrigation Association are $250 for national IA members and $495 for non-members. If you’re not currently an IA member, you can save money by joining now. Here’s how:
Because the Ohio IA is an affiliate member of the national association, all Ohio IA contractors are eligible for a $100 discount off of the $520 regular IA membership rate.
The IA membership year is Jan. 1-Dec. 31. If you join midyear, you must remit full-year dues ($420) with your IA membership application; however, your dues will be prorated in the second year of membership.
It’s Spring Start-Up Time
for Your Irrigation System
Ah, Spring! Birds are singing…the weather is warming…lawns and gardens are starting to thaw.
Time to prepare your irrigation system for another year of efficient water management. To help you with that, we’ve compiled the best spring start-up tips from the pros at Rain Bird and Hunter Industries. Take a look:
Tips from Rain Bird
Just a few simple steps will go a long way towards saving water, money and preventing a mid-summer landscape catastrophe at home.
Make Sure Spring Has Sprung…
Although all signs might be pointing to the arrival of spring, the soil beneath the landscape is always the last to thaw. Starting your sprinkler system while the ground is still frozen can result in damage to the pipes. Use a shovel to make sure that the soil is frost-free 12 inches deep. If it is still solid as a rock, then wait another week and test it again before starting the sprinkler system.
Regain Control…
Run a check of the irrigation controls and programs. This includes dusting away the cobwebs on the timer, making sure the date and time is correct, and that the settings are appropriate for your landscape’s watering needs. Replace the back-up battery in the timer/controller every 6 months, and keep a copy of the watering schedule nearby.
Additional tip: Placing moth balls in an outdoor mounted controller will keep ants and other insects out of the controller cabinet.
Unobstructed Flow…
Check for rocks, dirt, sand and other types of debris that may block the even flow of water from sprinkler heads. Uneven distribution can lead to too much water in some areas and not enough in others, both resulting in an unhealthy landscape and wasted water. Inspect spray heads and make sure they haven’t become buried and debris has not accumulated around them during the winter.
Out with the Old…
Nozzles and sprinkler heads are designed to withstand normal wear and tear of irrigation, but are no match for errant lawn mowers, the neighbor’s dog or snowplows. Replace cracked, chipped or worn components, such as sprinkler heads, nozzles, valves or pipes. A broken sprinkler can wreak havoc on lawns, gardens, and water bills, so it is important to check and replace them periodically.
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The Heart of the System…
Valves are the heart of any irrigation system. They regulate the distribution of water throughout the entire system. A leaky valve will waste water, and increase your water bill. Visually inspect each valve to make sure they are operating properly. Before turning on any water to the system, make sure all manual drain valves are returned to the closed position. Overly wet areas in the lawn, resulting in muddy and/or barren patches, may be a result of a leaky valve.
Keep the Hammer in the Tool Chest…
Water hammer is a high-pressure surge that occurs when a valve is first opened. An initial pressure surge can result in pipe bursts and damaged valves. When restoring water to your sprinkler system, open the main water valve slowly to allow pipes to fill with water in a gradual and controlled manner, thus preventing a water hammer and costly damage.
Pressure Check…
When you first turn the main water valve back on, it is important to make sure the water pressure is at a safe operating range for sprinkler systems. A system with too much pressure will result in cracked pipes, busted valves, sprinkler head leaks and inefficient watering. Invest in a water pressure gauge that can be used to measure water pressure in your home and yard. These devices typically connect to a hose faucet and give you a good idea of the pressure in your irrigation system.
If the pressure is above the suggested operating range (typically 40 -65 PSI), a pressure regulator may be required to prevent damage to the sprinkler system or undesirable results. For example, if water is “misting” out of your sprinkler heads, your pressure is too high and should be reduced.
Tips from Hunter Industries
Spring cleaning your irrigation system prolongs life and improves watering efficiency, saving time, water and money
When spring arrives and freezing temperatures cease, it’s time to turn on irrigation systems and start watering again. However, when you do so, you should take a few very important steps to make sure you do not damage pipes or irrigation components. It is always best to hire a professional contractor. We have provided a spring start-up guide below to help ensure your Hunter system is up and running with ease and efficiency.
STEP 1
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Open the system main water valve slowly to allow pipes to fill with water gradually. If these valves are opened too quickly, sprinkler main lines are subjected to high surge pressures, uncontrolled flow and water hammer, which may cause them to crack or burst.
STEP 2
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Verify the proper operation of each station valve by manually activating all zones from the controller.
STEP 3
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Walk through each station on the controller, checking for proper operation of the zone. Check for proper operating pressure (low pressure indicates a line break or missing sprinkler), proper rotation and adjustment of sprinkler heads, and adequate coverage. Check and clean filters on poorly performing sprinklers. Adjust heads to grade as necessary.
STEP 4
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Reprogram the controller for automatic watering. Replace the controller back-up battery if necessary.
STEP 5
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Uncover and clean the system weather sensor, if applicable.
Remember, it is always best to hire a qualified professional contractor when performing tasks like Spring Start-Up. Irrigation contractors are experts in hydraulics, proper sprinkler system layout, plant watering requirements and soil types. Their skills will ensure a water-efficient system and years of trouble-free operation.
Cost: $25.00 per person (includes all educational courses, lunch and trade show entry.)
Paid attendees will receive a voucher for $50.00 off their next purchase of $250.00 or more. You will receive your voucher from SiteOne at the door when you check in for the University. (Limit one per transaction. Cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts or special promotions.) You must register online in order to attend this event! TO REGISTER…
Class Offerings
The 2019 SiteOne University-Cleveland will offer classes in the following areas:
Beginning as John Deere Landscapes in 2001, SiteOne Landscape Supply is now the nation’s largest supplier of wholesale goods for green industry professionals in the United States and Canada. It also offers irrigation design services for its designated partners. The company went public in 2016.
On February 28, 2019, Wolf Creek Company is sponsoring a full-day CIT training session.
You’ll learn about gluing and repairing PVC pipe, installing nozzles and adjusting heads, setting and repairing electric valves, and field and controller wiring techniques.
This is a recommended review for the CIT exam. The session will begin at 8:00 a.m. at Wolf Creek Company, 6700 Huntley Road in Columbus, Ohio.
Cost is $100 per attendee, and seats are limited!
Contact your Wolf Creek Representative
for more information.
Why Certification?
Certification gives you a competitive edge. By becoming a Certified Irrigation Technician you can: Add instant credibility with customers and employers. Increase job opportunities. Demonstrate your commitment to efficient water management. Qualify for the EPA WaterSense program.
CIT Overview
CITs are field technicians who install, maintain and repair irrigation systems. Typical duties include:
Cutting and joining pipe, as well as knowing the limitations of different piping systems and understanding basic hydraulics.
Laying out and installing piping and water delivery components; backflow prevention components; mechanical, hydraulic and electrical irrigation controls; and other irrigation system components.
Troubleshooting and repairing irrigation components and systems.
Becoming a Certified Irrigation Technician
To become a CIT, you must:
Register for the exam. Recommended: six months or 1,000 hours of irrigation-related field experience.
Pass the irrigation technician exam. The three-hour exam includes 100 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on basic irrigation principles, basic electrical principles and basic hydraulics.
Register by Nov. 1 to save on education classes, full registration and exhibits. Discount housing is also open, and attendees can book their hotel online.
The collaboration hopes to provide an action-packed week focused on the one resource we all strive to manage responsibly — water.
The show floor will give you a firsthand look at all of the latest products, services and technologies in landscape irrigation to help you expand your business, satisfy customers and grow your bottom line.
Find solutions to ancillary landscape markets such as ponds, waterscapes and outdoor lighting.
Find solutions to ancillary landscape markets such as ponds, waterscapes and outdoor lighting.
Education Week offers five days of seminars, technical programs and education classes conducted by some of the industry’s leading experts and researchers. You can discover the latest cutting-edge research, technologies, techniques and best practices in landscape irrigation, while earning valuable CEUs.
Inclusion in the WaterSense online 
Add instant credibility with customers and employers.
