Making the Most of Your Lawn Irrigation System this Summer
Think Water Wise - Think Water Safe
Watering For Efficiency
Once you turn on your lawn sprinkler, it is easy to forget how much water you use in a short period of time. Running a single sprinkler for an hour at five gallons per minute will use more water than ten toilets flushes, two 5 minutes showers, two dishwasher loads, and a full load of clothes combined!
Taking time to check, repair, adjust the system, and provide periodic checks throughout the summer season can insure your lawn and plants are being watered properly without wasting water.
How to Check Your Automated Irrigation System
Run the entire sprinkler system, one zone at a time. As you do this, check for the following:
• Signs of leakage caused by damage to the spray heads or piping during the winter months. Repair as needed.
• Inefficient Spray Pattern- Nozzles get clogged and need to be cleaned. Also, nozzles and spray heads may need adjustments to reduce overspray onto walks, driveways, etc.
• Interference of the spray pattern- If plants have been moved, play equipment has been installed, or if plants have just grown too much. By adjusting the sprinklers to accommodate the changing landscape will eliminate dry spots and puddling caused by blocked spray.
• Overgrown grass can impede spray heads – make sure to keep yours trimmed.
Additional Water Saving Tips
• Watering to the Weather - Adjust controllers throughout the summer so you aren’t depriving or watering unnecessarily.
• Cycle and Soak –splitting watering times into two applications with a break in between promotes deeper root growth while fostering a healthier landscape that is more resistant to dry weather.
• Consider Drip Irrigation–This reduces evaporation and puts water near the roots.
• Watering at the best time –water early in the morning when the air is cool and calm and evaporation is at a minimum. Watering in the evening is the next best.
• Rain Gauges and Moisture Sensors -Install one of several different sensors that will automatically shut off your irrigation system if it starts to rain.
Landscape Rebates
To help you water more efficiently this summer the Clackamas River Water Providers are offering two landscape water use rebates. Choose the items that will work best for you (1) a rain sensor, (2) a manual hose bib timer. Apply for up to a maximum combination landscape rebate of $50. These rebates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until the program funds are depleted Limit: 1 rebate per household. Customers can take advantage of each rebate one time per account
The Clackamas River Water Providers (CRWP) is a coalition of municipal water providers on the Clackamas River which serve over 200,000 people drinking water in Clackamas County. We are committed to helping our customers do whatever they can to use their water more efficiently.
For more information about if you qualify for the landscape rebates our members, to see rebate eligibility requirements, or to download a copy of the rebate brochure and application, please visit our web-site at www.clackamasproviders.org or contact our office at (503) 723-3511.
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CONSERVATION
Please click on the following links for more information on Indoor and Outdoor Conservation. Adobe Acrobat Reader software is needed to view the files below. This software can be downloaded for free at Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Indoor Conservation
Outdoor Conservation
REGIONAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Sunrise Water Authority is a member of the Regional Water Providers Consortium (RWPC). RWPC consists of water provider agencies in the Portland Metropolitan Area that work together to jointly fund conservation outreach, educational activities, and regional water supply planning. Please visit RWPC's website at http://www.conserveh2o.org/ for more information.
MORE INFORMATION
A wealth of information is available on the internet on methods for conservation of water resources. Below is a sampling of links to other conservation websites.
http://www.h2ouse.net
http://www.awwa.org/waterwiser
http://www.usbr.gov/waterconservation
http://www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency
Additional information on Conservation Tips can be obtained by contacting www.clackamasproviders.org or call(503) 723-3511.
Additional information regarding Irrigation Management and Xeriscape Programs can also be obtained by contacting www.clackamasproviders.org or call (503) 723-3511.