The Compass

James Connolly Consulting, LTD.
The Compass
Providing Direction for the Turfgrass Industry
Winter 2001

Innovative Irrigation and Drainage System Achieves 100% Efficiency

Evaporative Control Systems, Inc., (ECS) of Reno, Nevada has developed a unique and highly efficient irrigation and drainage system. Jonas Sipaliia, Founder and President of ECS developed the sub irrigation and drainage design. I became very interested in ECS as a way to achieve 100% irrigation efficiency while maintaining hight infiltration rates. The benefits include the characteristics of a sand root zone, at least 50% less water use than sprinkler systems, combined drainage and irrigation, no high-pressure pipe, and 0% water waste.

The principle behind ECS is based on proven soil and water physics. The irrigation part of the system relies upon capillary water movement and evapotranspiration from a subsurface water supply. The drainage characteristics are outstanding; able to handle a 23-inch rainfall event in 24 hours. Even with the high drainage capacity, the plant is not subject to drought because the rootzone is maintained at field capacity.

The potential for ECS to provide a highly efficient, low maintenance turfgrass system is incredible. ECS is installing a number of sport fields, trees and greens this year and I recommend you visit their website to learn more about he company and product applications. You can visit them at www.ecsgreen.com.

-James Connolly, President JCC Ltd