Three steps to a perfectly irrigated terrain

Detailed calculation for seamless integration

With 35 years of experience under its belt, VBS Irrigation pupated into Hydroplan in early 2023. The same team continues the mission with motivation and drive: golf, soccer and field hockey fields, but also large gardens purposefully irrigated for a perfect turf. "Efficiency and flexibility are the key here," says operations manager Raf Bresseleers. 

Based in Brecht, Hydroplan designs and installs irrigation systems throughout Belgium. Raf Bresseleers, one of the few Europeans allowed to use the title Certified Irrigation Auditor and Designer, explains the three components that make up the installation of precision irrigation: "As a site owner, you want control over your control systems, a reliable pump installation, and trenchless installation. We excel at every step, by putting a strong emphasis on thorough preparation and calculation of all aspects upfront. With augmented reality, the exercise only becomes complete. This allows us to fully simulate pump groups in advance in the space in which they will be placed. No surprises, but seamless integration."

To measure is to know

"Before we proceed to choose pump systems and control systems, we take the time for detailed calculations. This is the only way we can guarantee the efficiency of our irrigation plan. We calculate how much irrigation is needed and how much energy will be consumed to do so," said Raf Bresseleers. So the owner of a golf course, for example, knows exactly how much his pumps will consume. 

"We also make extensive calculations toward the ideal volumes of water to be provided as buffers in the event of water scarcity. With drought becoming an annual phenomenon, it's important to establish a critical reserve to maintain your grounds. There is a clampdown on clandestine use of water everywhere. Hydroplan is the best-placed supplier to provide legal alternatives."

Flexible control

Once volumes and consumption are correctly calculated, Hydroplan designs an irrigation plan with state-of-the-art pumps and control systems. Bresseleers: "We choose A-brand pumps and mostly Rain Bird's two-wire systems, which give you maximum and flexible control. For example, with the latest systems you can set the number of rotations per nozzle. Whereas previously you had to set this per unit of time and calculate yourself how long the sprinkler was active, now you enter the number of rotations or set per milliliter. Less calculation, more control."

Moreover, these systems can be controlled from mobile devices anywhere on the property. Thanks to GPS localization, your smartphone or tablet knows perfectly what the nearest sprinkler is. You can check those separately or send a command to all sprinklers on the entire property. "The Bois d' Arlon golf course has more than 1,500 sprinklers. The new control system we installed for them makes it possible to control those efficiently." Monitoring on and off the property also becomes easy with the new systems. The customer and Hydroplan receive notifications when an anomaly occurs on the property. Think power failure, a pump shutting down, or a leak. This allows Hydroplan to intervene immediately and prevent damage.

On the grounds

The pumping plant itself is also a changemaker on a golf course. Bresseleers: "The most advanced pumps deliver new levels of precision and efficiency. Thus, a golf course not only consumes less energy, but also saves water. That's why we work with pumps from Grundfos, the best irrigation solutions on the market." 

"A green and sleek yard is the pride of our customers. We naturally want it to look even more radiant. In order to leave the turf as intact as possible, we opt exclusively for trenchless pipe installation. Our experienced installers use modern machinery with seven trenchless devices in different sizes. This allows them to place pipes from PE25 to PE125 without any visible marks."