Abu Dhabi Public Realm Design Manual
Appendix C - Irrigation Rates
Irrigation Guide
Introduction
The Abu Dhabi Emirate has reached a
time when irrigation water is no longer
as freely available as it was when Abu
Dhabi City, Al Ain and the Western Region
were less developed. Abu Dhabi is
taking part in the global effort to manage
water use for landscape and minimise
use of non renewable resources.
Research has been undertaken since
2000 to determine actual irrigation
water use and irrigation practices in the
public realm. The research confirmed,
especially in Al Ain, that irrigation water
use exceeded need for a variety of
reasons including inappropriate or poorly
maintained irrigation systems. The
rates included in this Irrigation Guide are
derived from this research.
The water need, as per this Irrigation
Guide, is greatly influenced by use of
natural mineral based and polymer free
soil moisture retention additives. Mineral
additives, such as clay or similar, provide
a permanent restructuring of soil while
organic materials and polymers break
down quickly in hot climates and are
a temporary solution. Using natural
mineral soil additives, it is possible to
permanently establish a soil able to hold
sufficient moisture to sustain plants with
irrigation events every three days during
the summer and every 7 to 10 days
during winter.
PRDM Irrigation Guide
The PRDM Irrigation Guide provides
general guidance on the irrigation needs
of plants that may be used throughout
the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Because this is
a guide only, some of the information
may not apply directly to all areas of the
Emirate. While the Guide contains sound
water and irrigation system management
concepts, area-specific information, as it
becomes available, should be used as it is
developed. The Guide will be updated as
required and revisions and additions are
expected.
The Irrigation Guide provides minimum
irrigation levels that, through a
combination of soil improvers, irrigation
management and appropriate irrigation
systems, will be achievable. These rates,
which complement and are in line with
upcoming Estidama requirements, will
require a robust design and maintenance
programme including implementing the
following best practices:
1. Water-conserving irrigation
technologies should be used to
optimize water delivery rates to
evapotranspirational demand.
2. Preference should be given to desert
landscape design that use strategic
size and placement of plant materials.
3. Where appropriate and functional,
turfgrass should be used to provide
evapotranspirational cooling in
landscapes as well as provide for local
needs.
4. A goal should be set to use 100%
recycling of landscape green waste
on site to encourage water retention,
soil formation, nutrient recycling, and
inhibit soil heating.
Appendix C Page 213
5. Plant materials should remain
naturalized to the greatest extent
possible. Combined with conservative
water use, minimalized pruning
strategies result in lower rates of
green waste production and salt
deposition in landscape soil.
Using the Guide
Planting plans in the Emirate must better
utilize draught and salt tolerant materials.
The Guide provides direction on achieving
an attractive, functional landscape within
the constraints of our irrigation resources.
By understanding the creative ways that
plants with lower water needs can be
strategically combined with plants of
higher water needs, the public realm design
can still be attractive, yet more functional
in the local climate. A proper balance can
help to achieve the desired Estidama rating.
Each plant species listed has a
recommended water requirement indicated
by water droplets. The droplets show water
requirements ranging from one to four.
Plants should be planted in hydrozones,
based on these water requirements, to
ensure that those with the same water
requirement are clustered One and two
droplet plants are preferable in public realm
design. Three droplet plants typify the
sub tropical plants that have been used
regularly in the Emirate and should be
used in lesser numbers. Because planting
concepts may require a more diverse mix
of plants, four droplet plants, or those
that require more water, have also been
included in the guide. These should be
used strategically in public realm design
because they require more water.
Abu Dhabi Public Realm Design Manual
Appendix C - Irrigation Rates

Irrigation Rates
Trees Palms Shrubs Ground Covers & Grasses
Irrigation
Plant Age Season
Requirements
Quantity Interval Quantity Interval Quantity Interval Quantity Interval
(L) (Days) (L) (Days) (L) (Days) (L) (Days)

Jan - Mar 40 6 50 8 20 7 15 7
Apr - May 40 4 50 3 20 3 15 3
1 - 2 years
Jun - Oct 40 3 50 3 20 3 15 3
Nov - Dec 40 5 50 5 20 4 15 5
Jan - Mar 70 8 100 8 25 7 15 7
6666 3 - 8 years
Apr - May 70 4 100 4 25 3 15 3
High Jun - Oct 70 3 100 3 25 3 15 3
Nov - Dec 70 5 100 5 25 5 15 5
Jan - Mar 100 8 120 8 25 7 15 7
Apr - May 100 4 120 4 25 3 15 3
Mature
Jun - Oct 100 3 120 3 25 3 15 3
Nov - Dec 100 5 120 5 25 5 15 5

Jan - Mar 40 5 40 5 15 7 10 7
Apr - May 40 3 40 3 15 4 10 4
1 - 2 years
Jun - Oct 40 3 40 3 15 2 10 3
Nov - Dec 40 4 40 4 15 5 10 5
Jan - Mar 60 8 60 6 20 7 10 7
666 3 - 8 years
Apr - May 60 4 60 3 20 4 10 4
Medium Jun - Oct 60 3 60 3 20 3 10 3
Nov - Dec 60 5 60 4 20 5 10 5
Jan - Mar 80 8 80 6 20 7 10 7
Apr - May 80 4 80 3 20 4 10 4
Mature
Jun - Oct 80 3 80 3 20 3 10 3
Nov - Dec 80 5 80 4 20 5 10 5

Appendix C Page 214

 Abu Dhabi Public Realm Design Manual
Appendix C - Irrigation Rates

Irrigation Rates
Trees Palms Shrubs Ground Covers & Grasses
Irrigation
Plant Age Season
Requirements
Quantity Interval Quantity Interval Quantity Interval Quantity Interval
(L) (Days) (L) (Days) (L) (Days) (L) (Days)

Jan - Mar 30 8 N/A N/A 12 8 10 10

Apr - May 30 4 N/A N/A 12 4 10 5
1 - 2 years
Jun - Oct 30 4 N/A N/A 12 4 10 4
Nov - Dec 30 5 N/A N/A 12 7 10 7
Jan - Mar 60 8 N/A N/A 25 7 10 10
66 Apr - May 60 4 N/A N/A 25 4 10 5
3 - 8 years
Medium - Low Jun - Oct 60 4 N/A N/A 25 4 10 4
Nov - Dec 60 5 N/A N/A 25 7 10 7
Jan - Mar 70 7 N/A N/A 25 7 10 10
Apr - May 70 4 N/A N/A 25 4 10 5
Mature
Jun - Oct 70 4 N/A N/A 25 4 10 4
Nov - Dec 70 5 N/A N/A 25 7 10 7

Jan - Mar 50 14 N/A N/A 12 20 12 20

Apr - May 50 10 N/A N/A 12 12 12 10
1 - 2 years
Jun - Oct 50 7 N/A N/A 12 7 12 7

Nov - Dec 50 12 N/A N/A 12 12 12 12

Jan - Mar 100 20 N/A N/A 25 20 12 20

6 Apr - May 100 10 N/A N/A 25 12 12 10

3 - 8 years
Low Jun - Oct 100 7 N/A N/A 25 10 12 7
Nov - Dec 100 12 N/A N/A 25 12 12 12
Jan - Mar 100 20 N/A N/A 25 20 12 20
Apr - May 100 10 N/A N/A 25 12 12 10
Mature
Jun - Oct 100 7 N/A N/A 25 10 12 7
Nov - Dec 100 12 N/A N/A 25 12 12 12

Appendix C Page 215