Landscape Water Management Benefits
The best irrigation efficiency is achieved when most of the water that is applied to landscapes by irrigation systems is used by the plants being watered.
Improved irrigation efficiencies may result in:
Reduced water use and fewer dollars spent on water
Improved landscape appearance; fewer wet or dry spots
Reduction of runoff
Reduction of water lost below the root zone (deep percolation)
Reduced fertilizer and chemical requirements
Water savings from the landscape irrigation system can be accomplished by using irrigation schedules based on knowledge of the performance of the system and the plants' need for irrigation water.
Water can be saved in two ways:
Improved system performance
Proper scheduling based on local weather patterns
Efficient system performance means that the water is applied as uniform as possible.
It is the result of appropriate design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the system.
This may require additional financial commitment to keep the original system intact and to provide qualified personnel to operate it.
Often times after an audit, the irrigation system will deteriorate to the state it was in before the audit as a result of negligence.
Landscape audits should be done periodically to evaluate system performance.
An audit consists of a series of field procedures for collecting and compiling irrigation system data;
then using this data to evaluate system performance characteristics, such as distribution uniformity and precipitation rates.
Appropriate irrigation scheduling means the right amount of water is being applied at the right time.
A schedule defines the day or days of the week, the time or times of the day, and how long a station or zone is activated to apply water.
The recommended schedule resulting from an audit is based on the results of field tests and inspection,
distribution uniformity and precipitation rate, soil intake rate, plant water use, root zone depth, and soil water holding characteristics.
The schedule must be able to function within the limits and capabilities of the controllers used to operate the irrigation system.
Schedules must be modified to accommodate changes in the weather, which change the plant's need for water.
The landscape irrigation management procedures presented in the landscape water management plan will provide the tools necessary to meet these requirements.
Contact Us
for more information regarding Irrigation Audits or to schedule a meeting.
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