Don't Send Money Down the Drain!
Learn to water smart to save money this summer.
Most homeowners overwater their yard, unwittingly wasting money every
time they take out the hose or turn on the sprinklers. Adopting water-savvy
habits not only helps reduce this waste, it saves money while promoting a
healthier lawn and landscape. To raise awareness of the benefits of smart
irrigation practices, the Irrigation Association has named July Smart
Irrigation Month.
Water use issues have become a big concern in communities across the United States. A well-trained irrigation professional, working with today's technology can save homeowners time and money, and provide better results. One of the
goals of Smart Irrigation Month is to provide homeowners with smart
irrigation practices to help them get the best results when working with
irrigation professionals whether installing, maintaining or improving their
systems.
Right,
From the Start
Create an efficient irrigation system.
Creating an efficient irrigation system requires specialized knowledge
and understanding of irrigation design principles and local environmental
conditions - something most weekend gardeners don't have. Complying with
local installation codes is another consideration. Similarly, the best
irrigation design won't perform well if the installation is done incorrectly
or if inferior components are used. Something as simple as selecting the
correct type of pipe can mean the difference between a system that lasts and
one that suffers from ongoing repair problems.
Irrigation systems also need regular maintenance to keep them working
efficiently year after year. Damage from lawn equipment or from improper
winterization can cause leaks and failures. The best bet is to hire an IA
Certified Irrigation Designer or Contractor to design and install the new
system for you. To make finding a qualified contractor easier, the IA
maintains a registry of trained, certified irrigation professionals. Always
be sure to check the credentials of a prospective contractor and don't be
afraid to ask questions. Hiring a well-trained contractor and insisting on
high-quality components is the best start to ensure your system will operate
at peak efficiency.
Design It Right
An efficient irrigation system is one that works properly all the time.
Invest in a good designer or contractor at the start, one who takes into
consideration the unique water requirements of your landscape and local
weather conditions.
- Plan your irrigation zones carefully. Be sure that your
system will have enough capacity to handle all the plant types you will
be watering. The more irrigation zones you plan for, the more tailored
the watering schedule can be.
- Use the best components you can afford. This will pay dividends
in the end.
- Check the water pressure. Low or high water pressure can
seriously affect sprinkler performance. Sprinklers should be selected to
match the on-site pressure.
Contract It Right
A vital step in creating a high quality, efficient irrigation system is
choosing the right irrigation contractor. Make sure the contractor is certified
and, if required, licensed to install irrigation systems in your area. Check
references.
Install It Right
When installing a new system, use components that will provide the greatest
flexibility in watering your landscape. Different types of plants have different
watering needs that may change over time. Your system should allow you to apply
the right amount of water for each type of plant by the most effective method.
- Always install excess irrigation zone capacity. Irrigation
zones are areas of the yard that are watered by the same irrigation
valve and plumbing. Installing extra connections now makes it easier and
less expensive to expand your irrigation system later.
- Install the required backflow prevention device. A backflow
prevention device is required by the National Plumbing Code for all
irrigation systems. It keeps irrigation system water out of the main water
supply, preventing contamination. Your contractor will know which type is
specified for your area.
- Install lines at the correct depth. Irrigation lines should be
installed at a depth where aeration and other lawn maintenance will not
interfere with them.
Landscape It Right
A well-designed
landscape and a well-designed irrigation system need to work well
together to maximize savings.
- Use turf or plant species appropriate to the climate whenever
possible.
- Practice "hydro-zoning" by grouping plants with similar water
needs close together.
- Confine non-turf plants to plant beds to make it easier to
water lawn areas.
Schedule It Right
Modern irrigation controllers allow the user to easily adjust their watering
schedules to suit all sorts of landscape watering needs.
- Schedule each individual zone in your irrigation system to
account for sun, shade and wind exposure.
- Consider the soil type in each zone, as it affects the how
quickly water can be applied and infiltrate without runoff.
- Adjust your watering schedules at least seasonally to account
for changing water needs. Monthly or weekly adjustments will save
substantially more water and improve plant health.
Water It Right
Watering at the right time of day, when the sun is low, the winds are calm
and temperatures are cool will save a lot of water - as much as 30% - by
reducing evaporative losses. The best time to water is late afternoon, evening
and just before sunrise.
- Saturate the root zones. Roots are generally within the top
six inches of soil. Then let the soil dry. Watering too frequently
results in shallow roots, weed growth, disease and fungus.
- Don't water too long. Water each zone several times for short
periods rather than in one long session. For example, rather then watering
for 15 minutes, water three times for 5 minutes, allowing time for the water
to soak into the ground before watering again. This reduces run-off.
- Take careful aim. Be sure your sprinklers are not watering
driveways, sidewalks, patios, or buildings. It's all water down the
drain.
Finally, consider installing "smart" technology that automatically adjusts
your system to apply water based on factors such as evaporation, precipitation,
plant water use, or soil moisture. By replacing only the water that is needed,
smart systems offer substantial savings - and convenience.
Another option is a rain sensor. This little device senses precipitation
and, depending on the amount of rainfall, stops the system from irrigating. When
the rain stops the system picks up right where it should. Soil moisture sensors
are another innovation that can be added at any time. These long metal probes
measure the soil's moisture content at the root zone. Basic sensors turn off the
system when water is adequate; "smart" models turn on the system to maintain
correct moisture levels.
Keeping
Up Appearances
A well-maintained irrigation system is an efficient irrigation
system.
Whether you have a small urban yard using a simple irrigation system, or you
are watering acres using the latest irrigation technology, proper
maintenance is a must. Without regular maintenance your water stingy
irrigation system could turn into a water guzzler. Irrigation systems are
exposed to the elements year-round, as well as everything from lawn mower
blades to the family dog. That means they need to be inspected and adjusted
at least once a year.
The most convenient and effective way to verify your system is to have an IA
Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor inspect it before the growing season
begins. This IA certified professional will inspect the entire system and
adjust it for peak performance, replacing any damaged components. The
auditor can conduct a uniformity test to make sure all areas are getting the
proper amount of water and that your sprinklers are placed correctly. You
may discover that a few sprinklers need adjustment to achieve proper
"head-to-head" coverage in your yard. If needed, the auditor can even create
a new watering schedule for an old system to make it more efficient.
Here are a few essential maintenance tips to ensure that your irrigation
system is always operating at its best:
- Learn how to program your irrigation controller. Adjusting
the run times (number of minutes) and the frequency of watering (daily,
twice a week, etc.) based on current local weather conditions is the
best way to give your plants the water they need. You should also adjust
settings for seasonal changes in the plants' water needs and the
weather.
- Inspect the irrigation system for leaks. Leaks are a huge water
waster. A good contractor can perform regular maintenance checks for
leaks, broken or clogged spray heads, and other problems. Ask them to
show you common problems to watch for between visits.
- Clean the filter screens if clogged. All sprinklers from the
biggest to the smallest use filters to prevent spray nozzles and
emitters from getting clogged and degrading the spray pattern.
- Adjust sprinkler head height. Stationary and rotary sprinkler
heads need a certain amount of clearance over the plants to operate
correctly. Over time plants grow and turf can build up around sprinklers
interfering with the spray pattern. Periodically checking the sprinklers
for proper clearance is very important. Taller risers may need to be
added, or in-ground sprinklers reset so they can distribute water
evenly.
- Adjust spray patterns and positions. Water that lands on
sidewalks, patios, and decks, etc. is water wasted. Sprinklers can get
whacked out of adjustment, so having their aim checked yearly is a must.
- Winterize! If you live in a climate where freezing can occur
you need to have your system properly winterized in the fall. This is
usually best left to an irrigation contractor, who has the equipment to
ensure the system is clear of any water that could freeze and crack
pipes, valve bodies, and sprinklers. A thorough winterization - and
proper spring start up - is cheap insurance.
Finally, check the pressure. Just because the pressure was correct when
the system was installed doesn't mean it still is. Pressure that is too low
or too high can seriously affect the efficiency of your irrigation system.
So, have the pressure checked and adjusted every year.
Teaching
an Old Irrigation System Some New Tricks
Update your irrigation system for greater efficiency.
Saving water is in every homeowner's best interest. You save money and help
conserve the local water supply at the same time. Just because you have an
old irrigation system installed in your yard doesn't mean that you can't
update it to take advantage of the newest, most efficient technology. Your
irrigation contractor can tell you what components are best suited to your
system and offer the greatest benefit.
Here is a quick look at a few
of the options:
- Add "smart" technology. Smart technology basically refers to
irrigation devices that can adjust your watering schedule without direct
input from you. Climate-based controllers that adjust watering schedules
based on weather conditions and plant information can have a profound
impact on your water usage. Find out more about smart technology at:
www.irrigation.org/swat/homeowners.
- Install a centralized irrigation controller. Typically used on
golf courses, these systems are finding their way into more residential and
commercial applications, especially for large lawns where water is
expensive. With just a few computer keystrokes or by remote control, the
user can reprogram controllers in multiple locations. Plus, watering
schedules can be saved and reused with ease.
- Have a rain sensor installed...low-cost, excellent value!
This device can be added to almost any system and will automatically
override the system settings to prevent watering when it rains. They are
inexpensive, simple to install, and they save water and money.
- Add a pressure regulator. Incorrect water pressure can cause
conditions such as "misting." Misting occurs when water is turned to vapor
rather than droplets at the sprinkler from too much water pressure. Most of
the misted water just gets blown away. While a pressure regulator may not
help your neighbor's lawn, having one installed by a qualified contractor
could do wonders for yours.
- Install micro-irrigation. Some of your old sprinklers may be
replaceable with micro or drip irrigation components. Your irrigation
professional can tell you if micro irrigation is suitable for any of your
existing irrigation zones. The water savings from switching may be
substantial. Micro irrigation works well in gardens and around trees and
shrubs and minimizes evaporative water loss and runoff.
Other relatively inexpensive upgrades include installing check valves on
the sprinkler lines and adding matched precipitation rate nozzles. Check
valves installed on slopes prevent water from draining downhill and flooding
around the lower sprinklers. Installing matched precipitation rate nozzles
can save water by ensuring uniform water application in every zone. These
nozzles are engineered to deliver water at the same rate, no matter what the
pattern. So a zone that has full-circle patterns mixed with partial-circle
patterns will be watered evenly, reducing wasteful overwatering.
Plan
Right and Plant Right
To Save Water
Plan your landscape carefully to save water and money.
Conserving water doesn't have to involve a lot of trenching and
plumbing. Whether you own an automatic irrigation system or not there are
many ways to save water in a landscape. These tips can be implemented as
part of your normal landscaping and gardening routine.
- Aerate your lawn and around trees at least once a year to
ensure good water penetration. Turn and cultivate soil, adding compost,
or fertilizer, when planting. This helps the soil hold moisture and
produces healthier plants that require less water to remain strong.
- Mulch well around plants, bushes and trees. Using 2-4 inches of
mulch reduces evaporation, moderates soil temperatures, improves water
penetration, and helps to control weeds that compete for water.
- Landscape to suit your lot. Evaluate conditions like sun and
shade, dry and damp areas, what size plants you want now and at
maturity, and how you want to use each section of your yard.
- Purchase turf or plant species that have low water requirements and
are well suited to the environment and the area of the yard where they
will be planted.
- Hydro-zone your yard. That means grouping landscape plants
with similar moisture needs in the same area. Separate them from turf
areas, which have different water requirements.
- Plant in spring or fall when less water is needed to establish
new plants. Smaller plants also need less water to become established.
- Create functional turf areas, for example, in play areas.
Avoid using turf where it's difficult to irrigate properly, such as on
steep slopes. Good alternatives for hard-to-irrigate areas are ground
covers, perimeter plants and mulch.
- Plant shade trees to lower the air and soil temperatures. This
will reduce soil moisture loss.
- Maintain your yard by mowing, weeding, pruning and irrigating
as needed. A well-maintained yard requires less water.
Saved Water Is Money in the Bank
Whether
getting ready to install an efficient new irrigation system, or simply looking
for ways to save money using an existing system, there are many choices
available. Consulting with a qualified irrigation specialist will make those
decisions easier. Watering your landscape with a properly planned, maintained
and operated irrigation system will save you money and you'll be doing your part
to help extend the local water supply. Most importantly, whether during
Smart Irrigation Month in July, or any other time of year, practice
better water-saving habits everyday.
Related information
Choosing a Contractor
Find IA
Certified Irrigation professionals
Irrigation
Consumer Handbook
Smart Technology
10 Tips To Maintain and
Update Your System