Time To Replace Your Irrigation System? Or Repair?

Constantly Evaluate System Management and Maintenance Costs

An annual review and analysis of the total costs compared to previous years will provide a clear window into the future. It seems common sense, but it isn't always the first action people take! In essence, and without doubt, the time will come when the financial outlay to keep old equipment running no longer makes sense. The capital reserve plan will include an estimated, conservative assessment of useful service life and an adequate, up-to-date replacement pump system budget including removal and installation costs.

Best practice leading to optimum timing for pump system replacement is to track direct and related expenses comparing year-over-year increases. When expenses are on a consistently upwards trend, and frequent repairs are needed it's a sure sign that the useful service life of the pump system is approaching its end. Why is this? Well, pipe breaks not only leak water; they leak money in the cost of repair couplings and the labor required to install them.

Could You Afford To Lose 1-2 MILLION Gallons of Water Per Year?

Underground pipe and fitting leaks/breaks are common. They're a major factor in causing irrigation systems to lose water. Even a small underground leak has the potential to lose 1-2 MILLION gallons of water per year!

Typically, it's the poorly maintained and/or ageing pump system that can cause damage and add to the expense of running an irrigation system. A well managed and monitored pump maintenance program goes a long way to extending the life of your irrigation system and its component parts. As a pump system ages, there may be a loss of pressure control in a poorly maintained system. The irrigation system's many bends, joints and mainline fittings are under assault when pressure is uncontrolled. Water hammer occurs when pumps turn on and off, banging against the piping and fittings. Uncontrolled high pressure stresses the piping and fittings, causing expensive, recurring mainline breaks.

Pump System Direct and Related Expenses To Consider In Your Audit

New irrigation systems can be expensive it's true; but so is the alternative of constant repairs, not to mention the lack of energy efficiency in older systems.

Irrigation System Component Service Life

The life of system components varies with the length of irrigation season but generally speaking, you can expect the following to apply:

Irrigation System: 10-20 Years Service Life
Irrigation Control System (Controllers): 10-15 Years Service Life
Irrigation pump system 25 HP & smaller: 10-15 Years Service Life
Irrigation pump system 50 HP & larger: 15-30 Years Service Life
PVC pipe (underground & under pressure): 10-40 Years Service Life

Pump System Direct Expenses

• Pump system routine maintenance and minor repairs (estimate annual 5% of the initial cost).
• Energy/Electrical usage of the pump motors (if you're on a shared meter, calculate the expenditure based on usage hours and the size of the pump).
• Pump system major repairs and component replacements. For this, you'll need to maintain an equipment log recording such things as maintenance, what was repaired/replaced, warranties and any downtime. Remember to include dates and costs!
• Water Quality Costs: Water source treatment, pump system discharge filtration and so on.
• Water Usage: If charges or fees apply, such as reclaimed water (make sure you add costs to address pressure and availability issues).

Pump System Related Expenses

• Irrigation maintenance and minor repairs (costs will depend on such things as size, age and configuration of system).
• Major system repairs or component replacements (don't forget to maintain an equipment log listing warranties, what was repaired/replaced and of course, dates and costs incurred)
• Sod replacement (look for rising trends in your figures).
• Landscape replacement (look for rising trends in your figures).

Irrigation and property managers should track all costs diligently to get a clear and accurate picture of total expenditure. This way, when it comes to auditing your system, you'll have the information you need to make an informed decision.