Today, golf course superintendents and grounds maintenance professionals are challenged to do more with less. Some are decreasing the amount of fresh water being used for irrigation by utilizing non-potable water from a variety of sources. Many must also make their current wells, pumps and irrigation systems last as long as possible to reduce costs. To help professionals successfully address these issues, Rain Bird has introduced a line of retrofit filtration products designed to improve water quality and reduce wear-and-tear on irrigation system components.
“Reclaimed water often contains salts, metals and organic solids that must be filtered out,” explained Jim Banis, Market Development Manager for Rain Bird. “Water that’s stored in a retention pond is subject to algae, leaves, grass clippings and other contaminants, and even fresh water quality can decline if it’s pumped from an aging well with a deteriorating well casing. Our filtration products can effectively capture contaminants before they damage pumps or clog sprinkler heads.”
All of Rain Bird’s pump filtration products are designed as retrofit items for golf courses, as well as commercial turf and drip applications. Superintendents and groundskeepers can choose one or more of Rain Bird’s filtration products depending upon their specific needs and the type of contaminants they must filter out of their water supplies.
Centrifugal Sand Separator: Powder-coated for durability, this separator filters water as it is pumped from a well, removing sand that can clog sprinkler heads. With no moving parts, this filtration product resists wear-and-tear and is easy for superintendents to maintain.
Self-Cleaning Pump Station Screens: With galvanized construction that holds up well underwater, Rain Bird’s Self-Cleaning Pump Station Screens connect to a pump’s inlet pipe and remove large sediment before it can cause damage. Instead of the filter’s mesh basket rotating, internal wands rotate to clean the screen, creating less stress on bearings for more reliable performance.
Sand Media Filters: These filters are an effective solution to remove silt and organic matter measuring less than 100 microns from water after it leaves the pump and before it enters the irrigation system. Its stainless steel, wedge-wire underdrain screens are virtually indestructible, and with only one moving part, these filters are simple to use and maintain.
Hydraulic Suction Scanning Filters—I-Series, G-Series and E-Series: With a simple on/off control system, I-Series Hydraulic Suction Scanning filters feature modular, PVC-backed, stainless steel mesh screens with a coarse screen pre-filter. These robust, single-layer screens make it easier to remove filamentous material in a low maintenance environment. The filter’s hydraulic piston is not attached to the dirt collector, making it unlikely to break. Economical with low flush volumes, the G-Series offers many of the same features as the I-Series except it does not have a coarse screen, making it an ideal filter when a coarse screen pre-filter already exists.The E-Series filters feature an electric motor that creates a very precise scanning speed and path. The E-Series uses a reversing mechanism instead of limit switches to reverse the motor, which means its dirt collector will never “crash” into one end or the other. The filter’s entire bearing mechanism virtually floats in the filter at atmospheric pressure to counter hydraulic forces.
Backwashing Screen Filters: Powered by source line water pressure, the filter’s patented backwashing valve system produces a reverse flow to flush the system of entrapped contaminants. Only one moving part—the valve—means these filters are unlikely to break down even under the harshest conditions.
All of these products can be used with any pump station, making each a relatively inexpensive add-on that can save thousands of dollars in future labor and equipment costs.
“Our pump filtration products can save superintendents and groundskeepers the time formerly spent manually cleaning debris out sprays and rotors, as well as the expense of replacing irreparably damaged irrigation system components,” Banis explained. “Reducing the amount of sediment in the water can also keep sensitive turf areas like golf course greens healthier and looking their best.”
With quick, easy installation and an immediate, positive impact on water quality, Rain Bird’s pump filtration products are a wise investment for golf courses, commercial irrigation and agricultural sites. For more information, visit www.rainbird.com or contact your local Rain Bird distributor.