CIT Water Conservation and Scheduling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a catch-can test primarily used to measure?
- Backflow preventer efficiency
- Precipitation rate and distribution uniformity (Correct answer)
- Controller programming accuracy
- Soil permeability rate
Correct answer: Precipitation rate and distribution uniformity
A catch-can test measures precipitation rate and distribution uniformity by collecting sprinkler output in small containers placed around a zone.
Question 2: What is the formula for calculating precipitation rate in inches per hour?
- Flow rate (GPM) ÷ area (sq ft)
- 96.25 × GPM ÷ area (sq ft) (Correct answer)
- Pressure (PSI) × run time
- Gallons used ÷ minutes run
Correct answer: 96.25 × GPM ÷ area (sq ft)
Precipitation rate (in/hr) = 96.25 × GPM ÷ area in square feet, converting flow to an application depth.
Question 3: A water audit yields a distribution uniformity of 0.62. This result indicates the system is:
- Excellent and needs no changes
- Good and within industry standards
- Poor and should be improved (Correct answer)
- Perfect at 100% efficiency
Correct answer: Poor and should be improved
A DU of 0.62 (62%) is poor; the Irrigation Association recommends a minimum DU of 0.75 for turfgrass systems.
Question 4: What is the most common cause of dry spots in a zone when run time appears adequate?
- Excessive system pressure
- Low distribution uniformity from improper spacing or worn nozzles (Correct answer)
- Excess fertilizer application
- Too many zones on one controller
Correct answer: Low distribution uniformity from improper spacing or worn nozzles
Dry spots despite sufficient run time usually result from poor DU caused by improper head spacing or worn nozzles leaving low-coverage areas under-irrigated.
Question 5: Which US organization offers the Certified Irrigation Auditor (CIA) credential?
- EPA
- OSHA
- Irrigation Association (IA) (Correct answer)
- NFPA
Correct answer: Irrigation Association (IA)
The Irrigation Association (IA) administers the Certified Irrigation Auditor program, setting national standards for irrigation auditing.
Question 6: What minimum distribution uniformity does the Irrigation Association recommend for turfgrass irrigation systems?
- 0.50 (50%)
- 0.65 (65%)
- 0.75 (75%) (Correct answer)
- 0.90 (90%)
Correct answer: 0.75 (75%)
The Irrigation Association recommends a minimum DU of 0.75 for turfgrass, meaning the lowest-quarter areas receive at least 75% of the average application.
CIT Water Conservation and Scheduling 2
What is a catch-can test primarily used to measure?