Every year, hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of litres of water are lost due to inefficient irrigation systems. The good news much of this waste is preventable. The key lies in strategic planning, regular system audits, and expert project management.
This article explores how the City of Salisbury in South Australia is taking a proactive approach to irrigation management by conducting comprehensive audits of its irrigation systems. Their goal: to ensure sustainable water use while continuing to provide high-quality public spaces for the community.
Planning First: The Foundation of Water Efficiency
Before any investment is made in irrigation infrastructure, accurate data and thorough planning are essential. Without a clear understanding of current system performance and asset condition, councils and land managers risk making costly, ineffective decisions.
Recognising this, the City of Salisbury engaged Pinion Advisory to conduct a detailed audit of over 223 irrigated sites, including public open spaces and sporting facilities. This early engagement ensures that both the design and project management phases are handled by experts—maximising return on investment and ensuring installations meet or exceed industry standards.
The Audit Process: Turning Data into Decisions
The audit process includes three key steps:
- System Inspection – Checking for broken or misaligned sprinkler heads, nozzle and emitter condition, solenoid valve functionality, controller operations, and general system observations.
- Performance Testing – Measuring pressure, flow, and water distribution uniformity using catch cans to assess how evenly water is applied across surfaces.
- Reporting and Recommendations – Delivering a detailed report that includes findings, system performance benchmarks, and recommendations for improvement.
In addition, Pinion Advisory is providing Turf Quality Visual Standard assessment (aligned with SA Water’s IPOS Code of Practice) and validating asset data through GPS plotting.
From Audit to Action: Informed Investment Planning
The final reports estimate the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of each system and assign a performance rating in line with the council’s asset management framework (NAMS.PLUS). This enables Salisbury to make data-driven decisions about:
- Infrastructure maintenance
- System upgrades
- Long-term investment planning
- Sustainable water management
Why Independent Expertise Matters
Engaging an independent consultant early in the process is critical. It ensures that the design, audit, and project management are handled with objectivity and technical precision. This not only improves system performance but also delivers a higher-than-industry-average return on investment.