What does it really take to design and deliver irrigation systems at scale and how do you build them to perform for decades?
With 39 years of irrigation industry experience, Dave Pearce joins Chris Rehm on Think Water’s In the Trenches podcast to unpack the realities of large-scale irrigation across golf courses, sports fields and commercial turf.
Dave shares practical lessons from decades in the field, from planning water supply and storage through to irrigation system design, stakeholder management and long-term performance. He also explores how sensors, metering, smart controls and better use of data are changing the way irrigation systems are designed and managed.
And for irrigation contractors looking to step into larger projects, Dave also discusses an important question: is your business actually ready for the scale?
Key takeaways:
Why the fundamentals of irrigation remain the same at scale — but planning, organisation and logistics become significantly more complex
Why water supply, storage, seasonal demand and water reuse need to be considered early in the design process
Why the cheapest irrigation system upfront may not deliver the best result over a 30-year operating life
The importance of aligning designers, operators, irrigation contractors and budget holders from the beginning
How sensors, metering, smart controls and data are helping operators improve water efficiency
Where smart irrigation technology is heading and what it means for existing systems
What irrigation contractors should have in place before taking on major projects
Chapters
00:42 Meet Dave Pearce: 39 Years in the Irrigation Industry
01:39 Large-Scale Irrigation: Golf Courses, Sports Fields & Commercial Turf
03:42 Planning and Designing Large-Scale Irrigation Systems
05:45 Irrigation Water Supply, Storage, Reuse & Sustainability
07:44 Irrigation System Design: Upfront Cost vs Long-Term Performance
10:51 Smart Irrigation Technology: Sensors, Metering & Water Efficiency
15:45 The Future of Smart Irrigation & Data-Driven Water Management
17:39 Upgrading and Modernising Older Irrigation Systems
18:55 What Irrigation Contractors Need Before Taking on Large Projects
In the Trenches is a Think Water podcast exploring the people, projects, technology and practical experience shaping the irrigation and water industry.
Listen or Watch On;
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4r647bzs
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3yctvppc
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mwjwwew4
