SMART WATER TAKES ON MELTON
13 Oct 2016
A new Smart Water system is being installed in the Melton Town Centre currently under construction that will provide extensive and effective irrigation to newly constructed public spaces.
Currently under construction, the Melton Town Centre streetscape redevelopment is helping to transform the central business district of Melton in Victoria. With an aim to create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly centre that encourages people movement, the new space is suitable for passive and organised use that stimulates opportunities for local traders.
With extensive landscape works to be undertaken by Ace Landscape Services, the Smart Water Corporation was awarded a contract to supply and install a complex irrigation system to service the new public spaces. Work commenced in August 2016, with final works due for completion in October 2016.
The project brief required the installation of an automatic irrigation system to efficiently water lawn and garden areas of varied shapes and sizes. Additional public space projects, with specific requirements above and beyond those of other commercial projects, were also integrated into the project.
The complex irrigation design was completed by a certified irrigation designer. The equipment specified for the project is the most water efficient of its kind and was installed by VBA licensed and registered irrigation specialists from Smart Water.
The water source for the irrigation system is potable water from the municipal mains and is metered. Toro Rootguard drip irrigation was installed to precisely and discretely water all garden beds. Lawn areas within the development are watered by low precipitation Hunter MPR nozzles installed on Rainbird pop-up sprinkler bodies. Both these irrigation methods are highly efficient, and due to their design offer valuable resistance to accidental damage or vandalism.
The Melton irrigation management system is comprised of a Hunter 1 Core Controller, a traditional hardware system. All cables have been colour coded and installed in conduits to prevent breakage and assist in future maintenance. The complete system consists of eighteen zones, operated by 25mm solenoid valves. A master valve has been installed along with a flow sensor to ensure water consumption is monitored. In addition, a rain sensor has been installed to shut down the system during and immediately after rainfall has occurred, to prevent over watering and wastage.
Smart Water is proud to be a part of the Melton Town Centre project. Streetscapes are a challenging but satisfying aspect of their work as irrigation systems contribute to the establishment and maintenance of invaluable green spaces within city areas.
For more information on the scope of irrigation works the Smart Water corporation can achieve for you, visit their website.