TECHNICAL 35
Who designs my irrigation system ?
By
Patrick Gordon - Consultant
Before a homeowner can decide who must design their system , they first have to decide what type of system they require .
So , you need to design an irrigation system for a client . The first step in design is to work out exactly what kind of system is needed .
There are a few different types of systems :
1 . The basic system that you can buy at most retail outlets that stock gardening and irrigation systems . This type of system can be laid out on the ground and connected to the garden tap . The system is one upgrade from using a simple hosepipe .
2 . The next system is connected to a rainwater tank and pressurised with a pump from the tank supply .
3 . You could opt to supplement the water in the tank with a connection from the reticulation of the house .
4 . Lastly you could have the system connected directly to the household ’ s domestic potable water supply .
Each of these will require a different level of expertise . For the first one , even a handy homeowner could manage to do the layout by themselves – so a plumber will have no difficulty . Some more complex systems may require the guidance from our friend Google or a professional landscape designer . The items required for the installation of the system are freely available from local distributers .
Once the plan calls for the collection of rainwater the scenario becomes a bit more complicated as many of the municipalities require the homeowner to apply for a special permit to collect rainwater . Rainwater is viewed as public property and should have free flow to stormwater systems . That having been said , the major focus right now is on how to secure enough potable water for one ’ s own use . It has not been outlawed for homeowners to collect rainwater from your own roofs , but just advise your residential clients to be aware that there are some criteria that need to be heeded .
If you the plumber are not a qualified rainwater harvesting specialist , you may need to contact one to help you design the client ’ s system . The health of their family is going to be at risk if it is not done correctly .
As soon as the backup water is permanently connected to the municipal potable water , a qualified plumber is required to do the installation as it now becomes part of your client ’ s home reticulation system . There are fixed regulations as to specialised equipment that must be used as soon as there is any chance of backflow into the potable system .
© Plumbing Africa
Basic irrigation system .
Whatever the need is in connection with an irrigation system , plumbers must make sure that they use good quality materials that are going to last your client a lifetime and is going to achieve the results that are required from the system .
For any further information on this topic please contact the writer : PA Gordon on patrickg @ splashworks . co . za PA
“ If you the plumber are not a qualified rainwater harvesting specialist , you may need to contact one to help you design the client ’ s system . ”
January 2025 Volume 30 I Number 11 www . plumbingafrica . co . za