Tips for Irrigation Systems
Look for the Label
If you have a standard clock timer controller, consider replacing it with a WaterSense labeled weather-based irrigation controller (WBIC). WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers can help landscapes save water by scheduling irrigation events only when plants really need it.
Adjust your irrigation system with the seasons.
Familiarize yourself with the settings on your irrigation controller and adjust the watering schedule regularly to conform to seasonal weather conditions. A good rule of thumb – when you adjust your thermostat due to seasonal temperature changes, adjust your irrigation controller watering schedule as well.
Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only—not the street or sidewalk, because they don't grow!
Play "zone" defense.
Schedule each individual zone in your irrigation system to account for the type of sprinkler, sun or shade exposure, and the soil type for the specific area. The same watering schedule rarely applies to all zones in the system.
Check for WaterSense!
A certified irrigation professional can design, install, maintain, or audit your system to ensure optimal efficiency using the proper amount of water to maintain a healthy landscape. Ask if your irrigation contractor is a WaterSense partner, which means he or she has been certified through a program that focuses on water efficiency.
Inspect your irrigation system monthly.
Check for leaks, broken or clogged heads, and other problems, or engage an irrigation professional to regularly check your system. Clean micro-irrigation filters as needed.
Get your head adjusted.
Correct obstructions in sprinkler heads that prevent sprinklers from distributing water evenly. Keep water off pavement and structures.
Flip to a rain shutoff switch.
Rain shutoff switches, required by law in many states, turn off your system in rainy weather and help compensate for natural rainfall. This inexpensive device can be retrofitted to almost any system.
Use smart technology.
Consider installing water-saving technologies such as WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, efficient sprinkler heads, and micro or drip irrigation.
Install low-volume micro-irrigation for gardens, trees, and shrubs.
Micro-irrigation includes drip (also known as trickle), micro-spray jets, micro-sprinklers, or bubbler irrigation. Micro-irrigation devices irrigate slowly and minimize evaporation, runoff, and overspray. For more information on drip or micro irrigation, see this video
on drip irrigation installation from our partners at Cascade Water Alliance.
on drip irrigation installation from our partners at Cascade Water Alliance.
No comments:
Post a Comment