Xeriscape Demonstration Garden - Irrigation Systems
City of Tempe Women's Club Park

Irrigation Display: To demonstrate the various components used in a typical drip irrigation system a working display was constructed using actual components.  Consumption meters were added to track water usage on three primary zones, trees, shrubs and agaves.

ET Controller: In 2006 an ET smart controller was added to the existing turf to evaluate the water savings potential.  Preliminary comparisons show a 40% reduction in overall water usage.

Working with the irrigation industry the City of Tempe Water Conservation Office has partnered with HydroPoint data Systems to bring on line at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden an ET based turf irrigation system.  Recent innovations in ET based controllers have resulted in numerous affordable and water saving technologies.  The WeatherTRAK controller may be one of those controllers.  Featured as an ET based controller that utilizes daily local weather data and a landscape specific “Scheduling Engine” the weather track system may demonstrate a significant savings in overall water usage on the gardens 1.8 acres of turf.  The existing drip systems was not converted over to the ET based controller and remains on the current RainBird system.  

Drip Irrigation modifications:  Several modifications to the existing drip system were made in the winter of
2004-2005 to accommodate newly planted trees.  Existing drip irrigation zones already piped with PVC
were modified utilizing multi-port fittings.

Retrofitting Poly Tubing:  Existing drip zones with poly tubing were modified using j-loops and micro tubing. 

Drip Emitters:  When trees out grow original emitters relocate to new location near canopy drip line. 
Emitters left to close to the trunk may cause premature decay and prohibit good root development.