Ways to Save Water and Money With a Sprinkler System

Everyone appreciates a lush lawn. The only problem is that the sprinklers maintaining that lawn consume a lot of water. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to cut down on waste. Here are the best methods to save water and money with a sprinkler system:

Adjust seasonal settings

In general, grass requires less water in fall and spring than during summer. Many traditional sprinklers don’t allow the owner to adjust the settings according to the season. As a result, the same amount of water is distributed throughout the year.

To avoid overwatering, switch to smart irrigation systems. They feature internal clocks to control water use and prevent overwatering.

Water by zones

An excellent way to meet the watering needs of each landscape element is to divide it into zones. These watering zones guarantee the lawn receives enough water to remain healthy while minimizing consumption.

Employ water sensors

Smart irrigation systems allow for automatic temperature adjustment through a live weather feed. It enables the owner to reduce water use during rainy, cool, or cloudy weather. Therefore, the sprinklers run when they don’t need to run. As an added feature, these sensors automatically turn off sprinklers when temperatures plummet, which helps prevent ice from forming on valuable landscape features.

Leverage landscape-based controllers

Cutting-edge sprinklers come with sensors that gauge yard conditions to provide enough water. Some of the factors these systems consider include the type of soil, plants, slope degree, and sun exposure. For example, loam and silt retain moderate amounts of water while clay absorbs the most. Modern sprinklers measure this factor and adjust the water supply accordingly. All four considerations can have a dramatic effect on the lawn and the overall water consumption. 

Ensure optimal coverage

Lawns without adequate sprinkler coverage are prone to water waste and spotty growth. To avoid this problem, check the coverage early into the watering season.

Here’s how:

• Place cups all over the lawn.

• Run sprinklers for approximately 15 minutes.

• Each cup should contain about the same level of water. If the water amounts are vastly different, the sprinkler placement needs to be adjusted.

Install pressure regulators

Outdated sprinkler systems operate at just one pressure setting: high. However, even the slightest reduction in pressure can help save a large amount of water and money. The easiest way to reduce the water pressure is to add regulators to your valves or individual sprinklers. After determining the ideal water pressure, the system provides a more uniform stream. Consequently, it doesn’t need to run for a long time to deliver the necessary amount of water to dry spots.

For more tips on making your sprinklers more efficient, reach out to a seasoned irrigation system specialist.

Springs of Life Irrigation is a Phoenix-area irrigation company specializing in professional sprinkler and drip irrigation and landscape lighting installation and repair. Call 623-299-2996.