Out of the Valve Box…… What’s in your Toolbox?

 

IRRIGATION    IRRIGATION TROUBLESHOOTING   IRRIGATION TRAINING

Yep, lets get started….

Years of experience, including “learning from mistakes” has taught us to always be prepared, have the toolbox stocked, and know where you are going.

 

Prepared defined: “Ready to do or deal with something”

Troubleshooting defined: “A form of problem solving often applied to the repair of failed products or processes on a machine or in a system.”

 

We have found that being prepared includes:

Know the property well, very well.

Do you have the design or the GIS/GPS Map?  If not build one or hire a company, possibly IMC, to build a GPS/GIS map for you.

So what is the presenting issue?  Usually a system isn’t operating or has an obvious leak.

Tools to trouble shoot?  Are you equipped to detect wiring path issues, electrical, software, hardware, operator error?  Yes, operator error……

Mental tools for troubleshooting?  Yep, if you don’t know where you have been, how do you know where to go…. Do you have a system, a process, and a protocol to troubleshoot?

You do not want to be the cat chasing the mouse, right?

Are you providing progressive and updated training on processes?  We have found a bizzillion training opportunities focused on product.   Well… that will only go so far when your client needs thorough problem solving.  Providing quality service does not depend on selling your client a new gadget to do it better and smarter.  The property owner really just wants the problem solved, the system to run efficiently, and to not have to think about the irrigation.   Now is a perfect time to sharpen your staff’s troubleshooting skills.  https://www.imcgreen3.com/training/

It is 95 degrees, sunny, and new sod was just laid.  Oh yes, it is Friday afternoon of a 3 day weekend. 3 day weekend, really, what are those?

It not only pays to be prepared, to know your property, and to know your process, it is efficient, professional, and good for the soul.

Check out or training page, we do things out of the valve box, are successful at it, and train others to do the same.

Rest well, and start expanding your skill set to extend beyond the valve box.

 

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Out of the Valve Box…..A Sip of Fresh Water

Out of the Valve Box…..A Sip of Fresh Water

Taking a look at water outside of our valve box….

Our world is irrigation water. We schedule watering, we reduce water usage, we safe water.

Bringing new information into our irrigation management  life is instrumental in making the world a better place.

Today, the new information is on….
World Wildlife Fund
1). As the world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries around the globe. We seek to apply the wealth of our talents, knowledge, and passion to make the world wealthier in life, in spirit, and in living wonder of nature. Our unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science. It involves action at every level and ensures the delivery of solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.
2). Science, commitment, passion, and hope are all essential to protect the future of nature. No strategy will succeed without the relentless commitment of extraordinary people. The strengths of WWF’s amazing, dedicated and passionate people have created some of the planet’s greatest conservation victories. We will achieve our ambitious goals through the efforts of WWF’s incredible team of scientists, biologists and policy makers.
3). Partnerships play a key role in WWF’s efforts to influence the course of conservation. Lasting conservation is achieved through collaboration with a range of extraordinary partners. We leverage the strengths of these collaborations to achieve great success.
Partnerships include:
Corporate, humanitarian, and marketing.
Help us take it out of our valve box world and do something special…..check them out, maybe eve adopt an animal. www.worldwildlife.org
Till next time –
www.imcgreen3.com
#irrigationwatermanagers #HOAS #golf #Hotels #sustainability #propertymanagers #multifamily

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Water On. Water Off.

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OUT OF THE VALVE BOX
WATER ON. WATER OFF.

Are these even sentences? Either way, water on water off, when managing irrigation water in water restriction zones is the statement or question of the day. New sod and plantings add an added level of stress and worry. Oh, and the water restriction areas generally are in warmer climates. Our clients are often at a point of complete frustration when we step into their projects. Water management experience, knowledge, and effective processes bring solutions best for client’s properties. With that said, what is successful water management? IMC has over 30 years of irrigation and water management experience. We started when the web platform was in DOS….Disk Operating Systems. Yes, we are that old.
IMC’s water management processes have proven success with all manufacturers’ water management products. Experience always surpasses flash and talk. Have questions? Let us get to work…
The protocol and processes set in place for successful water management are created to integrate with all water management software. Lets start with what I think is most important.
In blog #1, I mentioned that scared people move fast. Well, my thought is that people become scared when they are not sure of their direction, are guessing, or simply do not have all the facts.
So, we find ourselves at data collection.
Data Collection defined: The process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions., test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes.
Daunting indeed. There is help. For example, the Florida Water Resources Act of 1972 resulted in the creation of 5 regional water management districts and established a permit system allocating water use.
St Johns River Water Management District
Northwest Florida Water Management District
South Florida Water Management District
Suwannee River Water Management District
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Check out their link “Get the facts” to start your data collection.
IMC utilizes several resources and processes to collect data about each property, their condition, needs, and goals. Inclusive and direct is our method. Our proven success is based on clear current data for clients.
Integral to our data collection process is GPS/GIS Mapping. With color and technical application, a reliable resource for all involved. Clients utilize this information to make decisions best for their property.
GPS – Global Positioning Systems a radio navigation system that allows land, sea, and airborne users to determine their exact location, velocity, and time 24 hours a day in all weather conditions anywhere in the world. With that said, it can definitely locate a valve box or 2 or 200.
GIS –Geographic Information System is a system designed to capture, store, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical data. Portions of the data is spatial.
IMC’s water management success utilizes our protocol in all situations with all variables. We encourage you to look at your processes and protocol. Do you have one? Is it consistent? Does it involve all necessary staff? Does everyone know your process? If it is in your head, or on paper, it is clear, is it repeatable?
Take a look at your processes, confused? IMC has solutions.
In that this is posted 2 days before the Super Bowl, GO CHIEFS.

#GPS/GIS Mapping
#irrigationwater
#HOA
#Multifamily
#Hotels
#Universities
#propertymanagement

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                                                     Welcome to our irrigation blog…….

                                                               Out of the Valve Box

“Out of the Valve Box” is written with commercial property owners, property managers, golf course managers, HOA board members, public property managers, and maintenance contractors in mind.  We simply approach our work differently.  We think you will agree.

Yep, that’s the title.  It came to me during a blogging workshop.  Guess the workshop was worth the time because we love this title and are waiting for our copyright acceptance.  “Out of the Valve Box” is the title for the blogs from Irrigation Management Consulting.  Why?  Good Question.  Because our business approach: how we troubleshoot and find solutions for our clients is out of the box.  And Valve, well, because we work with valve boxes.  Simple really.  And I hope you find kind of catchy!

My hope is to enlighten readers with questions and information not normal, or “out of the box”.  You see our thinking is that when we create margins in our life, clarity occurs, relationships develop, and solutions are created. The trick is that creating margins is just that, a trick.  Patience, commitment, and faith are our foundations for creating the margins.  Experience and a vast knowledge of irrigation, water management, and grounds all contribute to our solutions.

Who doesn’t visit Wikipedia? Here is their definition.

 

Problem solving consists of using generic or ad hoc methods in an orderly manner to find solutions to problems. Orderly Manner being the key.

 

Identifying the Problem. Ask yourself what the problem is. We call this assessment of your irrigation system, communication surveys, audits.

  • Defining Goals. … Simple….solutions best for the client: water management
  • Brainstorming. … “out of the valve box” creating the best options
  • Assessing Alternatives. … looking at all options for the client
  • Choosing the Solution… Empowering our clients with info to choose
  • Active Execution of the Chosen Solution. … IMC Project Management
  • Evaluation…  Always looking at how we can improve our processes

Note orderly manner is in bold print…it is important.  It describes our approach.  Knowing where we have been in the process guides us on where to go next.  Jumping around, is just that, jumping around.  I once heard that scared and confused people move fast.  That usually doesn’t create the needed results.  We simply do it differently, it is working well.

IMC is a water management and consulting firm with offices in Kansas City and Orlando.  Our clients: property owners and managers of HOAs, golf courses, commercial properties, educational facilities, and private properties.  Check us out  www.imcgreen3.com

 

 

 

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University of Nebraska Lincoln Engages Irrigation Management Consulting

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Irrigation Management Consulting worked with the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, providing a site analysis, water usage analysis, developing construction documents, and aiding them in the implementation of their water management program.  We continue to provide ongoing support and troubleshooting.  UNL recently received a 4 Star rating through The Professional Grounds and Maintenance Society. IMC is honored to have played a part in helping the University reach their sustainability goals.

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Irrigation Management Consulting Team Helps University of Miami

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A Turf Feeding Systems fertigation system was specified by the Irrigation Management Consulting team and was installed last week on the sports fields at the University of Miami to reduce water, fertilizer, chemicals and labor and improve the field quality.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) June 02, 2015

Irrigation Management Consulting (IMC) is a leader in irrigation water management, specializing in large commercial and campus landscapes. Their background of more than twenty years is focused on water management by remote central control networks and accurate site evaluation.

IMC creates a site database using special GPS to accurately measure (one foot accuracy) and draw the site, plot the position of all the heads, valves and piping to better manage the property by accurate numbers. Their team members include irrigation design, landscape design, and agronomy now including Turf Feeding Systems (TFS) fertigation to create a total program for any large commercial property or university campus to reduce water and maintenance costs.

The TFS fertigation system was installed last week on their irrigation system for the sports fields to accurately inject fertilizer and nutrients into the irrigation water to make each drop sweet with nutrients to feed the grass and soil.

Michael Chaplinsky, the president of TFS states, “Fertigation is a great tool for Vince Muia, the Athletic Grounds Manager to use to reduce water, labor and costs, while improving field quality.” TFS has hundreds of fertigation systems installed on sports fields and sports complexes across the US and around the world.

TFS shipped a large S2000 to Hong Kong last month for the Hong Kong Soccer Stadium. The S2000 is a high-capacity sports field system injector that can quickly apply up to .5 lbs. per 1000ft2 or more of any nutrient in one irrigation cycle or, lightly spoon feed with each irrigation cycle.

Field recovery damage from over play is one of the biggest issues for any field manager, and fertigation offers a special value for that issue. Fertigation can grow grass faster than any dry or spray program, and once the field has recovered, fertigation can be cut back to maintain the turf at any level.

Chaplinsky says, “Fertigation can dial up turfgrass growth for recovery or dial it down to maintain it. It simply gives the field manager – green for less, time and costs.”

IMC and TFS are a great team, helping the University of Miami maintain their sports fields for less water and costs.

Mr. Chaplinsky has a number of projects across the US in golf, sports fields and landscapes as well as with olive growers in Texas. He is an expert in improving poor soils, sand, and sodium issues in the soil.

He is looking for serious partners to implement sustainable agriculture anywhere in the world. Interested parties can contact Chaplinksy and join his e-newsletter by clicking here and completing the form.

Bio:
Michael Chaplinsky – President / Founder Turf Feeding Systems
Turf Feeding Systems – Houston Texas – USA – The world leader in packaged fertigation systems (fertilizer injection into irrigation) for golf, sports fields, landscapes, resorts, and agriculture.

Mr. Chaplinsky has worked for over 28 years implementing water efficiency and sustainability into all types of irrigated projects around the world. He speaks at many conferences and lectures on sustainable soils, landscapes, golf and agriculture.

Mr. Chaplinsky has worked with the top scientists and engineers on the project that include construction, revegetation, bio-remediation and beach erosion. He brings technologies and practices together to promote plant and soil health, and create the values and benefits of sustainability.

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