Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor

How often should wind speed be recorded during an irrigation audit?

1. Every minute

2. Every 5 minutes

3. Every 10 minutes

4. Hourly

The correct answer is: Every 5 minutes

Recording wind speed every 5 minutes during an irrigation audit is essential because it allows for a more accurate assessment of how environmental factors can impact irrigation efficiency. Wind can significantly affect the distribution and evaporation rates of water, leading to discrepancies in irrigation performance. By capturing this data at 5-minute intervals, auditors can identify any fluctuations that occur during the audit period, which can give a clearer picture of the irrigation system's effectiveness and the potential for runoff or drift. Longer intervals, such as every 10 minutes or hourly, may miss critical changes in wind speed that could influence the immediate performance of the irrigation system, resulting in less precise conclusions regarding its efficiency. Frequent data collection at 5-minute intervals strikes a balance between maintaining a manageable data set and capturing enough detail to make informed assessments.