Learn to water smart to save money.

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. In North Carolina Governor Perdue has proclaimed July 2010 as Smart Irrigation Month for our state.

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 North Carolina Licensed Irrigation Contractor to design and install the new system for you. To make finding a qualified contractor easier, the IA and the North Carolina Irrigation Contractors Licensing Board maintain 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.

• Is the contractor properly insured? Ask to review a copy of their policy.
• Visit the IA at: www.irrigation.org. Find a Licensed Contractor in North Carolina.
• Obtain several bids. Understand the differences between them. The lowest bid may not be the best deal.

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.
• Follow the Landscape Management best practices for Water Saving.

 

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 or North Carolina Licensed Irrigation Contractor inspect it before the growing season begins. These certified professionals 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.
• 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.