Bowling Green Irrigation System, Design & Water Storage Requirements

Bowls green irrigation watering systems tend to come under two designs automatic and manual depending on the budgets available for the project, availability of labour for installation if installing the system yourselves.  We look at these two designs, rainwater harvesting for bowling green water and water regulations around mains supply of these tanks.

Automatic Watering Irrigation System for Bowls Greens

Automatic watering irrigation system for small bowling greens comprises of the following equipment

• 3000-5000 litres water tanks fitted with a 2” outlet, tap and access hatch on the top, if funds permit larger tanks are often preferred as these allow installers to make use of rainwater harvesting
• Optional air gap – this would be down to the installer to determine whether these would be required.
• Hose connection, Float valve assembly, MDPE pipe, which can often be installed into the roll-off gutter
• Multistage single-phase pump, pipe, and fittings – generally around 130 litres/min @ 85 psi
• Sprinklers with electrical panel and programmable controller
• To minimise water waste, if funds permit, environmental control, consist of a rain sensor, a mini weather station, which will monitor the evapotranspiration of the green.

Manual Moveable Sprinkler for Bowling Greens

With an Automated Sprinkler Systems, the cost is the main factor and with those on a tighter budget could look at a manual moveable sprinkler which would consist of the following.

• Water holding tank – similar size as above
• Mains water connection, preferable with a rainwater harvesting kit
• Moveable sprinklers mounted on tripods to move to different positions of the Bowling Green

How Automatic Watering Irrigation Systems Works

Water is piped from the water tank by a pressure pump, a ‘ring main’ of pipe round the green which need pop-up sprinklers which are sited to cover the area.  These sprinklers incorporate valves, which are linked to the which are opened by the controller for pre-determined times.   Most controllers have independent programs with different start times and watering times are controlled down to 1-minute intervals for the desired watering.

The water tank is connected to the mains water supply which is operated by a low-level float switch to keep the tank full.

Rainwater Harvesting for Bowling Greens

Rainwater Harvesting Tanks are designed for bowling green irrigation with over 40 sizes from 150 litres to 90,000 litres allowing water to be stored and used at your convenience.  These tanks are made from one-piece, rotationally moulded polyethene, meaning there are minimal installation and assembly costs compared to traditional, sectional metal tanks.

Rainwater harvesting filter kits filter prevent moss and leaves going into your rainwater harvesting tank, whilst softening the water as it passes through the filter. Available as a basket filter or self-cleaning design, these filters suit every roof size whether it is a domestic house, an agricultural barn or commercial factory.

How to Choose the Right-Sized Rainwater Tank

Calculate your rainwater catchment area – this worked out by measuring the area in square metres of your roof.  The work out the average rainfall for your area – your average rainfall in mm per year can be found here at www.metoffice.gov.uk

Calculate your possible rainwater harvest for a year

Formula: roof area x average rainfall

Roof area (footprint) in square metres x annual rainfall in cubic metres.

(650ml = 0.65m3), divided by 12 = average monthly rainfall capture.

e.g. 450m2 x 750ml = 337.5 (m3), divided by 12 = 28.125m3 or 28,125 litres per month average.

We recommend storing an average of two to three months’ worth of rainfall (bear in mind you may get three months’) worth in your wettest month.

View our tanks suitable for rainwater harvesting here

What time of day should I water my bowling green?

Most sprinkler manufactures recommend watering early in the morning, followed by evening watering if required.   Avoid watering in the middle of the day unless it is cool or a new law requiring constant watering.  You should only water once a day unless evaporation is extreme or if your soil will not hold water due to clay content or slope of the ground causing too much runoff.

Are there water regulations I need to consider?

The Fluid Category 5 Mains Supply generally puts irrigation into fluid category 5, The mains water regulations categorise types of irrigation system depends on the risk of contamination of the mains water supply. Although it is okay to operate some sprinklers and dripline / porous/leaky pipe direct from a tap with backflow devices., most fixed irrigation installations, whether the tank is above or below ground, an AB air gap is required.  This is down to the installer to determine the apricate installation with your local water board or full details on the WRAS (water regulations scheme) website.

More details on AB air gap regulations and tanks available here.

Popular Water Tank Sizes for Bowling Greens

The following sizes of water tanks are generally installed on smaller to medium greens;

Slimline Plastic Water Tanks

Horizontal Plastic Water Tanks For Low Roofs

Vertical Plastic Water Tanks

Don’t Let Your Bowling Greens Dry Out – The Enduramaxx Irrigation Tank Advantage

Enduramaxx have many years’ experience in manufacturing and supplying water tanks for irrigation and bowling green irrigation system and working through a network of stockists and installers in the UK we are sure we can help not only with the water tank but put you in touch with installers as well.  For more details and pricing on these water tanks or your local stockists – please get in touch today or contact us on 01778 562810 to discuss your needs.