Verona Walk Case Study

Challenge

Stahlman-England has worked in the irrigation and construction industries since 1980. They specialize in the service and installation of irrigation, drainage and pump stations, landscape lighting, and artificial turf needs. Headquartered in Naples, Florida, they’ve worked across private estates, golf courses, commercial properties, condominiums and residential properties.  Among other designations, Stahlman-England is a Certified Specialty Irrigation Contractor (CSIC), Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC), Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA), EPA Water Sense Partner, and Florida Water Star Accredited Professional. The Verona Walk is a lakefront property in Stahlman-England’s portfolio. It’s a resort-style property that is home to a variety of families and individuals, both young and more mature. Verona Walk has a lush landscape, with many canopy oaks, shrubs, and blooms commonly found in southwestern Florida. The community is surrounded by lake views, as well as walking and riding trails.

Stahlman-England was asked to renovate the existing irrigation control system at Verona Walk. In Florida, where temperatures can rise to oppressive heights, water is a crucial resource that must be managed with care and efficiency. The HOA sought irrigation consultants to modernize their irrigation framework and provide input on long-term best practices.

The existing IDS two-wire controllers Verona Walk used had been discontinued in 2006. They also had no central capacity for reporting, managing the water, or remotely accessing the irrigation system. Much of the communication wire had been damaged over the years. Essentially, Verona Walk was past due for retrofits and upgrades that would help them conserve water and manage it across a complex landscape.

“I see the value-added, and the ease of use. Not just in my ability to use Baseline, but for everyone in our firm, from service techs to coordinators at the office.”

– Steve Hall, Managing Partner and Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Stahlman-England.

Solution

When Stahlman-England entered the picture, they assessed the situation, and turned to Baseline technology to help them embark on an irrigation overhaul.

They made plans for new communication wire, grounding, and surge protection and replaced the older Hunter IDS system with 18 Baseline 3200 controllers and central web-based software. They gave each residential and multi-family lot an individual control valve that was connected via Baseline Decoders.

“A specialized consultant audited the community and prepared a full analysis recommending the Baseline system,” said Steve Hall, Managing Partner and Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Stahlman-England. “I see the value-added, and the ease of use. Not just in my ability to use Baseline, but for everyone in our firm, from service techs to coordinators at the office.”

These upgrades meant that the irrigation system went from a disconnected, aging series of individual stations to one online system, fully equipped for remote management. Landscape and irrigation managers can now remotely access the watering schedule, see watering reports, and get immediate high-flow alerts as soon as a potential issue occurs.

The Verona Walk HOA was so happy with the results that they requested Stahlman-England to provide the ongoing maintenance as well. Now they have technicians onsite routinely, providing visual inspections and remedying work orders as required.

“To date, the system has been simple to install and easy to use. It’s simply an impressive product with a great support team, and is very easy for the end user,” said Hall.

As Verona Walk’s needs change and Stahlman-England stays onsite consulting, they plan to continue making the irrigation system as modern, flexible, and efficient as possible.

Results:

• From a disconnected, aging series of individual stations to one online system
• Replaced older Hunter IDS system with 18 Baseline 3200 controllers and central web-based software
• Irrigation system fully equipped for remote management from all stakeholders