Irrigation Crew

The Irrigation crew is responsible for setting up, repairing and maintaining all of the irrigation systems on campus. The team consists of Mick Stone, Rick Privett and Don Courdway.

Grounds Services is improving the irrigation systems in general fund areas of campus by installing an irrigation management system called Maxicom. Through better management Grounds Services anticipates an annual water savings of 38%. In addition to savings, proper water management also leads to better plant and turf health which can reduce chemical usage for disease control.

Irrigation systems are typically controlled by individual timers that require a trip to the site to adjust. Maxicom utilizes a central computer located in the Grounds Services building on North Campus. This computer communicates with the on site controllers through telephone and radio signals. Adjustments can be made to any system on campus from this computer. The system can detect problems such as breaks or leaks and issue reports on needed maintenance.

A weather station and remote rain gauges will also adjust the system to account for wind, rain, and evapotranspiration rates. Partial funding for the project was provided by the Energy Star Program. The project is anticipating a 5 year payback period based on anticipated water savings.