Irrigation 101

Learn the 5 key elements for efficient irrigation and so much more in this half-day class taught by expert instructor Bob Dobson.

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Irrigation system sprinkler head spraying water in grassy yard

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Irrigation 101
Course Code: AL0608WA24
Date of Most Recent Offering: September 12, 2023

Date: September 12, 2023 UPDATE FOR NEXT OFFERING
Time: 9:00 am – 12:30 pm EDT (Log-in time: 8:30 am EDT) UPDATE FOR NEXT OFFERING

Location: Online UPDATE FOR NEXT OFFERING
Format: Live, instructor-led

Registration Fee: $210 per person UPDATE FOR NEXT OFFERING
Early Bird Discount Fee: $195 per person (expires September 5, 2023)

Registration Closes: September 10, 2023 UPDATE FOR NEXT OFFERING

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

In this online class, instructor Bob Dobson draws on his 50 plus years of irrigation experience to outline the major system components of an irrigation system. He will discuss design principles, system maintenance, and management procedures. This course provides a solid understanding of landscape irrigation system basics and a foundation to build upon.

This course also goes beyond just an introduction to irrigation and answers questions such as:

  • Why do we even irrigate the landscape?
  • What are our goals when we irrigate?
  • What happens to water when it leaves the sprinkler?
  • How much water does it take to maintain a healthy landscape?
  • How do we regulate the amount of water applied to the landscape?
  • What are the consequences of over irrigating?
  • What determines if an irrigation system is a good system or bad system?

Come and learn from an experienced irrigation expert who’s been there and done it!

  • 5 Key Elements for Efficient Irrigation
  • Irrigation Uniformity vs. Irrigation Uniformity
  • Consequences of Overwatering
  • Irrigation System Components
    • Water Supply
    • Point of Connection
      • Limit of Supply
      • Backflow Protection
  • Control Valves
  • Irrigation Dispersion Devices
    • Spray Heads
    • Rotating Stream Heads
    • Rotary Heads
    • Micro-spray Devices
    • Drip Irrigation
  • Timing Devices
  • Sensors
  • Design Principles – Putting It All Together
    • Water Supply Limitations
    • Backflow Device Selection
    • Sprinkler / Emitter Spacing
    • Sectioning / Zoning Sprinkler Heads
    • Distribution Network – Mainline Piping
    • Control Valve Locations
    • Lateral Piping – Connecting the Dots
    • Control System Selection
    • Sensor Installation
    • Wiring
  • Irrigation System Maintenance and Management
    • System Activation
    • In-season Maintenance
    • System Winterization
    • Periodic Inspections
    • Water Application Adjustments

Who Should Attend?

This class is a great source of information for anyone who wants to learn the basics of landscape irrigation. Past participants have included:

  • Athletic Field Maintenance Professionals
  • Business Owners
  • Groundskeepers
  • Landscape Designers
  • Property Managers
  • Public Works Professionals

Meet Your Instructor

Bob Dobson, Middletown Sprinkler Co.

Instructor Bob Dobson teaching an irrigation class

A true expert, Bob Dobson is President of Middletown Sprinkler Co. in Port Monmouth, NJ, a full service irrigation firm that has been serving the northeast for over 40 years and specializes in water efficient landscape irrigation systems that promote healthy and vibrant landscapes while conserving water and reducing water costs. Bob is an Irrigation Association (IA) Certified Irrigation Designer for residential, commercial, and golf course irrigation systems and an IA Certified Irrigation Contractor.

A leading voice in the irrigation industry, Bob is a past president of the national Irrigation Association, the Irrigation Association of New Jersey, and the New Jersey Turfgrass Association. He is also a past chairman of the national Irrigation Association’s Certification Board of Governors and has served on the IA’s Board of Directors. He is a member of the New Jersey Landscape Irrigation Contractors Examining Board.

Bob has been honored with the IA’s Industry Achievement Award and the Irrigation Association of New Jersey’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also recognized by the EPA with a WaterSense Excellence Award. He is the co-author of a book entitled Golf Course Irrigation: Environmental Design and Management Practices, which was published in 2003.

Student Reviews

“Bob taught me three design aspects that will result in water conservation and even distribution, which will aid me in better designs.”

– Past Participant

“Very well explained for all levels.”

– Past Participant

“I think the whole program was very useful.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Irrigation 101 was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Irrigation 101 course is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 3 Technical Contact Hours

NJ Landscape Irrigation Association Licensing Board: 3 CECs (water conservation)

Course Requirements and Policies

electronic devices iconTechnology Requirements

This online course will be delivered via Zoom.

Equipment you will need to access this training:

  • A computer, tablet, or smartphone
  • Microphone is necessary if you’d like to ask questions
  • Webcam is optional but not necessary
  • Speaker is optional but not necessary (you will be able to listen to the presentation by dialing in on your phone if your computer does not have a speaker)

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

camera iconPhoto ID Requirement

Each registrant will be asked provide a photo of him/herself holding their government-issued photo ID. This is required by credit boards so that you may receive credits for participating in this online course.

  • You will receive a reminder email prior to the start of the class with further instructions. Wait to receive these instructions before you attempt to upload your ID.
  • The photo must be clear enough that we can read your name and verify that the person pictured on the ID is in fact the person holding it.
  • After an OCPE staff member reviews the picture and verifies your identity, you will have access to participate in the course when it begins.

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Irrigation 101, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Joe Canzano

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

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Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Sprinkler Head Adjustment for Home Lawn Irrigation System

Irrigation Systems: Repair and Maintenance

Freshly dug trenches for laying pipe to install a new irrigation system in a yard

Irrigation Systems: Design and Installation

Low lying grass area flooded with rainwater

Water Management and Drainage

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