Green Guru LLC — Irrigation & Landscape Lighting

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Water Discipline Package

PRV Downleg Installation Package (1" copper)

This package adds a unionized 1" PRV (Caleffi 535 class) into a 1" copper irrigation downleg, then tests and tunes under flow. It’s one of the cleanest ways to establish pressure discipline—a core part of water discipline.

Under-flow verification 65 PSI discipline target 75 PSI regulated ceiling Rochester, MI area
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Why

Stability

Regulated pressure makes coverage tuning predictable and reduces stress on valves, heads, fittings, and splices.

Built For

Serviceability

Unionized hardware turns a PRV into a maintainable component instead of a permanent cut-in.

Scope Gate

Under-flow truth

We care about pressure under flow on your highest-demand zone—not only a no-flow gauge reading.

How it works

  • 1

    Measure

    Confirm static pressure and observe behavior under flow with zones running.

  • 2

    Install

    Integrate a unionized PRV into the accessible downleg after backflow prevention.

  • 3

    Set targets

    Tune toward ~65 PSI discipline target with a regulated ceiling of 75 PSI.

  • 4

    Verify + document

    Re-test zones under load and document settings for repeatable maintenance.

What this package is (and why it exists)

High source pressure is a repeat-failure multiplier. It increases misting waste, stresses valves and fittings, and makes coverage harder to tune consistently. A properly installed PRV gives us a stable working range so the system can be tuned like it should be.

Related reading: The Green Guru way: water discipline and PRV case study (Rochester, MI).

Best fit (scope gates)

  • Downleg: 1" copper supply/downleg where the install point is accessible and serviceable.
  • Trigger: consistently high static pressure and/or obvious pressure symptoms (misting, repeated leaks, repeat head/valve failures).
  • Reality check: we care about pressure under flow on your highest-demand zone, not only a no-flow gauge reading.
  • System class: typical residential/HOA/small commercial 1" irrigation supplies.

Package includes

  • Pressure test: static + dynamic (under flow) pressure verification.
  • Install: integrate a unionized 1" PRV into the copper downleg with correct adapters and clear service access.
  • Set + verify: set to 65 PSI as the discipline target, then tune only as needed for performance (ceiling 75 PSI regulated).
  • System run test: confirm improvement and call out any zones that need nozzle/arc/radius tuning after regulation.
  • Service notes: document settings and recommended follow-ups (pressure discipline is only valuable if it stays serviceable).

Estimated water-use savings (85 PSI vs regulated 75/65)

Use measured zone GPM when available. Otherwise, start with an estimate and refine during the scope visit.


Defaults reflect common 1" irrigation supplies.

Optional: include backflow + fittings + piping loss.

Used only for pre-visit service-size estimates.

Effective starting PSI: —
Estimated zone GPM (pre-visit): —
Zone flow @ 75 PSI: — gpm
Zone flow @ 65 PSI: — gpm
Savings per run: — gal (—)
Reality: the biggest savings often come after regulation when we can tune coverage and runtimes more predictably.

Illustrative: same zone, different pressures.

Typical build components (varies by site)

  • Unionized PRV: Caleffi 535 PRV (1" union) class hardware (or equivalent that meets scope needs).
  • Copper fittings/adapters: configured to match your downleg and preserve service access (site-specific).
  • Gauge/test point (optional): makes future diagnostics faster and supports follow-up tuning.
  • Isolation valves (optional): improves serviceability for future repairs and winterization workflows.

Typical layout (field framing)

Every site is different, but the service-first goal is consistent: keep the PRV accessible, union-serviceable, and easy to test under flow.

  • Downleg integration: PRV is typically installed in the irrigation downleg after the backflow prevention assembly, where we can access it without digging.
  • Testability: we prefer a setup that allows pressure checks under flow without disassembly.
Why unionized matters: unions turn a PRV from a permanent cut-in into a serviceable component. If a PRV ever needs cleaning/replacement, the job is faster, cleaner, and less invasive.

Common options (recommended when scoping allows)

  • Gauge & test point: a clean way to re-check pressure in future visits and during troubleshooting.
  • Isolation valves: improves service access for repairs and winterization workflows.
  • Coverage tuning: pressure discipline often reveals that certain nozzles/heads are mismatched; we can tune or recommend the most cost-effective corrections.

What this package is not

  • Not a backflow replacement: if the backflow device is failing, that is scoped separately.
  • Not a magic coverage fix: regulation improves stability, but coverage still depends on nozzle selection, spacing intent, and smart programming.
  • Not a universal answer: if supply is marginal, we verify performance under flow before choosing targets.

Related guides

This is a living package page. We update scope language and included options as common field configurations (and best practices) evolve.

Book a PRV scope visit

We’ll measure pressure at the source and under flow, confirm peak zone demand, and recommend the cleanest install point for serviceability.

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Also see: Upgrades, PRV case study, and water discipline.

FAQs

Where is the PRV installed?

Typically in the irrigation downleg after the backflow prevention assembly, where it stays accessible, union-serviceable, and easy to test under flow.

Why target ~65 PSI with a 75 PSI ceiling?

Our discipline target is ~65 PSI, then we tune only as needed for operational performance. The new ceiling is 75 PSI so the system operates in a regulated, maintainable range.

Does a PRV always save water?

Regulation reduces misting and stress, and it often enables better tuning and shorter runtimes. The best savings usually come after regulation when we can tune coverage and programming predictably.

What if the backflow device is failing?

This package is not a backflow replacement. If the device is failing, that is scoped separately and may be regulated depending on jurisdiction.

Next step

If you’re seeing misting, repeat head failures, or leak symptoms, start with a PRV scope visit so we can verify pressure under flow and recommend the cleanest serviceable install.

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