1. We Purchase Recycled Water from Manateecounty. It Is Clean, but Not Safe to Drink

IRRIGATION SYSTEM

( May 26, 2016)

1. We purchase recycled water from ManateeCounty. It is clean, but not safe to drink.

2. The recycled water is pumped into BLE via 3 main large valves encased in pipes that are painted purple (Main Valve Structures). The shut off valves are not locked. They are located at the following areas:

- 86th St54th Ave. West

- 86th St & 46th Ave Circle West

- At the end of the cul de sac on 46th Ave Westoff 89th St

3. These main valves can be shut off. Since it a connected “loop”, all three must be shut off to stop the flow at any one place in BLE.

4. The usage meters are on the top center of each of the 3 main valves structures

5. These main valves feed into over 60 “valve boxes” spread through out BLE. From each valve box, the water goes into 1” lines, then ½ lines, then to the various sprinkler heads. There are 1 to 5 homes on each valve box. We have a map showing the approximate location of the valve boxes and which properties relate to each valve box.

We also have a spreadsheet that reflects a more precise locationof the valve boxes.

Valve boxes may be in shrubs or buried under 6 inches of dirt and grass.

6. The valve boxes are controlled by timer boxes labeled “RainBird” stations. There 9 timer boxes. Each timer box controls 5 to 12 valve boxes. The timer boxes are locked. The combination is BL016. There are large electric junction boxes attached to the same post as the irrigation clock. We have a map showing the locations of the 9 timer boxes.

7. If the valve box malfunctions, then the sprinklers run continuously. We want to avoid weekend and night call out fees to repair these. So if one fails we will manually turn off the valve in the box. If we can not locate it , then we have to turn off the entire system at the three main valves.

8. There are pressure regulators located adjacent to each purple pipe station to increase pressure when needed.

9. Valve boxes are feed by 2” lines. Once on the lot, the lines reduce to 1 inch and then eventually reduce to ½ inch when they feed a sprinkler.

10. Sprinkler heads can be pop-up or fixed. They can also be rotary or stationary. The heads can be large spray or fine mist eg .“shrub” heads.The HOA approves RainBird heads which are sold at Home Depot. If a sprinkler head is in the wrong place, the HOA is not responsible for moving it or capping it.

11. If a break occurs between one of the 3 main valves and a timer box, then it can only be stopped immediately by turning off the water supply at the main valve. We do not have to contact the County before turning the main valves off. Previous Board members advised that no prior County permission is needed to turn off a main valve. It would be a good idea and probably is a requirement that we notify the County if the line is shut off for more than a week.

12. Greenscape prepared a spread sheet indicating the timer box and station number assigned to each house. It is not reliable.

13, The correct terminology is as follows : the clock sets a watering time for each program (A,B, &C) . There are zones on each program (1-12) . The zones can cover one or more homes. Generally a zone corresponds to a valve box, but in a few cases there are two valve boxes on the same zone.

14. Some yards are covered by multiple zones and multiple programs. This results, in some cases, in the front yard being watered at a different time than the back yard.

15. Generally the correct process to locate and shut off a valve is as follows:

a. Locate the home on the Timer Map to determine which timer is likely to control

it.

b. Use the RainBird Station Address Master list to determine with certainty which

clock and zone applies. Eg clock 3, Zone 7 would be 8707 50th ave .

c. Use the valve map to locate the valve box.

d. Manually turn off the valve to verify you have the correct valve.

e. If you only need to turn off the timer, then use the same information to locate

the clock and turn off the timer.

16. Often, due to storms, the GFI breakers are tripped on the timers. If this occurs when a valve is open, then the valve stays open indefinitely. A member will notice their sprinklers have been running for hours or not at all or at the wrong times. To correct this, locate the correct clock, locate the GFI, reset it, then turn the clock to “off” for a 30 seconds, then turn it to “auto.”