Irrigation Systems
Irrigation System Efficiency
Your automatic irrigation system can waste a lot of water. Households with automatic systems on average use twice as much water outdoors as households that water manually.
Water Times
Watering in the early morning (between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.) saves money and water while keeping your grass, plants, and trees healthier. Watering during the heat of the day may cause water losses of up to 30 percent due to evaporation. Watering early when the sun is low and winds are calm help reduce water loss from evaporation due to heat and wind.
Water Drip Tip |
| Install an inexpensive rain shutoff switch. These money-saving sensors prevent watering in rainy weather and can be retrofitted to almost any system. Did you know the ACC Water Waste Ordinance prohibits watering during a rain event? |
Prevent Water Waste
When your sprinkler system sprays faster than your lawn and landscape can absorb, precious water is wasted. Prevent runoff by reducing watering time and increasing frequency, so grass, plants, and trees can absorb the water they need without waste.
Check that irrigation emitters are set properly and are not watering unnecessary areas, such as driveways and sidewalks. Also, check for puddles on your lawn. This could indicate a leak in your irrigation system.
Watering Schedule
Adjust the timer on your sprinkler system and save up to thousands of gallons of water. Set your spray sprinklers to run for three, five-minute intervals to let soil absorb more water than watering for 15 minutes at one time.
Mulch Everything
Mulch holds the moisture in your landscape longer for your plants, reduces the growth of water-stealing weeds by blocking access to sunlight, and directs water down towards the soil to allow for better water absorption. Apply a two to three-inch layer of mulch around all plants, vegetables, shrubs, perennials, and gardens.