Flinders View Primary School has KISSS Subsurface System installed
Flinders View Primary School at Port Augusta in South Australia applied for, and received, part funding from the Federal Government to install sub surface drip irrigation on the school’s football and hockey fields.
Toro had the irrigation system designed and supplied 27,000 metres of the KISSS “FLAT” with Toro Drip-In with Rootguard at 4 LPH. Rootguard was used to prevent root intrusion. A Toro TMC424 modular controller and Toro Flow sensor (which together measure flow) and Toro valves were used in the system – a total Toro solution.
Toro and the irrigation contractor, John Greenwood from Gawler Irrigation, worked hard together to provide a solution which met the school’s budget. Installation had to take place during the school holidays (two weeks) to avoid disruption and to ensure security and safety of the children. John completed the contract on time and within budget in September 2008.
Gawler Irrigation has been installing irrigation systems for 15 years and John has been dealing with Toro for that length of time.
Over the last 2 years, John Greenwood has perfected his installation equipment and techniques for installing sub-surface irrigation products. He uses a vibrating plough with a specially fabricated flat blade attached to the machine to place drip tube in existing turf with minimal disturbance to the playing surface and a quick turnaround result.
John, who prides himself on travelling widely to install irrigation systems, said the project was a well managed operation with no problems from start to finish. “Timely supply and support from Toro was much appreciated. Importantly the school’s principal is delighted with the result and the watering efficiency. The original Toro 640 Sprinklers on the school oval were still working well after 20 years, but the need to conserve water necessitated the change to a sub-surface drip system.”
Although IWT did the initial approach, this was the first major KISSS installation by Toro in SA. Andrew Schlank, Irrigation Territory Manager in SA, stated. “The very obvious results obtained by the school have already led to new contracts in the region”.
