We haven't had any rain to speak of in much of the Tampa Bay Area in the past month, and it's finally raining! But why are the sprinklers on when there's a downpour? And maybe, more importantly, why are they watering the road? I do know the answer to those questions, but I feel that I shouldn't be the only one asking them.
The whole topic of efficient landscape irrigation is not as complex as one might think. It does involve a little technology and routine maintenance, but that's not a far stretch from what most people are doing already. Plus, it can save water--and money--in the long term, which is something we should all be doing.
Outdoor water use in the U.S. can account for anywhere from 50-90% of daily per capita water consumption, depending on where you live. If you live in the Northeast where rain is relatively abundant, you'll probably be on the lower end and if you live in the Desert Southwest, you'll probably be on the higher end. It's also important to note that practically all of the water used outdoors is to keep lawns green.
Let's talk about technology. There are weather-based sensors that can be put on sprinkler heads that will prevent the sprinklers from turning on when the grass or landscaping doesn't need water. There are simple rain shut-off sensors that will turn off sprinklers during and after it rains, soil moisture sensors that measure how wet the soil is on varying degrees, and slightly more complex evapotranspiration sensors that are customizable to specific plant, soil, and water-use zones by using local climate data. Attaching these to your automated irrigation system can save substantial amounts of water.
Now let's talk about vegetation. There are different landscaping plants and turf grasses that can be purchased that are local to your area and may be drought-tolerant or drought-resistant if need be. These plants don't need as much water as some other types. There is a method of landscaping called Xeriscape that is becoming quite popular in the Southwest. There are seven principles that focus on water-efficient landscape design and maintenance practices that are optimal for arid and semi-arid regions: proper landscape planning and design, low-water-use plants, appropriate turf area, efficient irrigation, soil improvements, use of mulches, and appropriate maintenance. I know not everyone lives in a semi-arid or arid region, but you can still implement some or all the principles of Xeriscape wherever you live. After all, not only is it important to create a landscape that uses water efficiently, but a beautiful landscape can be created by planting native vegetation and mimicking the local environment.
Of course there are several other things you can do: harvesting rainwater off your roofs and using that water to irrigate, watering in the early mornings or late evenings when the sun is lowest in the sky, watering only once a week or when the grass and plants really need it, installing drip irrigation systems, checking sprinkler heads every now and then to make sure they're watering plants and not pavement, and remembering to reset your timers every 3 months--just to name a few. Of course, if you need or want professional help you can have a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor come to your home to help you identify the ways you can be more efficient in your outdoor water use. The Irrigation Association is a great resource for outdoor water efficiency and has a link to where you can find a certified auditor in your area.
Lots of people know the basics of water conservation, like "turn the water off when you brush your teeth," but that only saves about 1500 to 3000 gallons per year. Being more water efficient outdoors can potentially save at least 90,000 gallons per year! And there are even more ways to conserve water and use it more efficiently. Just think about how much water you could save!
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