Top 7 Ways to Make your Irrigation System More Efficient

How much water does your irrigation system actually use?

Watering one acre with 1″ of water consumes a little more than 27,000 gallons of water! If we compare that to a conventional 16′ X 32′ swimming pool, filling your swimming pool uses 20,000 gallons. Most times you only fill your pool once a year, an irrigation system uses water on a weekly basis!

Did you know?

• The average suburban household uses at least 30% of its water consumption for irrigation.
• More than 50% of landscape water is lost due to evaporation, wind and/or improper system design, installation of maintenance.
• A household with an automatic landscape irrigation system that isn’t properly maintained and operated can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water annually.

Source (Environmental Protection Agency), https://www.epa.gov/watersense/statistics-and-facts

What are some easy ways to make your system more efficient?

1. Install a Rain Shut-Off Switch 
   Rain sensors will turn off your system automatically when a certain amount of rain has fallen. A rain sensor can provide an estimated water savings of 15-20%.
2. Sprinkler Check Valves
   Low head drainage is a common cause of run-off and water waste. Installing Seal-A-Matic Check Valve in your sprinkler heads keep water from draining out of the system.
3. Check for Leaks 
   Underground pipe leaks can go undetected for long periods of time wasting a huge amount of water. One broken sprinkler head can waste 25,000 gallons of water in one six-month season.
4. Water deeply and less frequently 
   Watering more frequently can actually harm your plants. Deep infrequent watering reduces run-off and encourages your plants to grow deeper and stronger.
5.  High-Efficiency Nozzles 
   Rain Bird manufactures a great high-efficiency nozzle that are estimated to save 30% of your water usage. These nozzles are designed to apply water evenly over the landscape. Traditional nozzles output different amounts of water based on fluctuations in water pressure.
6. Drip Irrigation 
   Replace traditional irrigation systems in planting beds, tree and shrub areas with drip irrigation. Drip irrigation has been proven to be up to 90% more efficient. Targeting plants with a slow application directly to the roots, minimizing evaporation and runoff.
7. Programming
   Knowing when and how much to water is the cheapest and easiest way to save. Landscapes are constantly overwatered. Different micro-climates on your landscape require different amounts of water. Tailoring your watering schedule to the specific plant requirements and landscape conditions is the best way to save water.

Leading Fairfield County in water-efficient practices, Aqua-Lawn has the solution to fit your needs. Contact us today, we’ll evaluate your system and implement these quick and easy techniques to start saving water now.