The backstory
Smart Irrigation Month was created to promote water efficiency and raise awareness about the importance of smart irrigation practices. While irrigation systems play a crucial role in maintaining healthy lawns and landscapes, if not properly optimized, they can also be a source of water waste.
According to a city of Fort Worth news release, the city is encouraging residents to follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s sprinkler tips listed below to optimize their irrigation systems:
- Inspect: Check the system for any visible leaks in the pipes, valves or sprinkler heads. Examine each sprinkler head for proper alignment, damage or clogs. Clean or replace malfunctioning heads to ensure optimal water distribution. The city of Fort Worth offers no-cost irrigation system evaluations by licensed irrigators to Fort Worth homeowners.
- Connect: Review and fine-tune the settings on the sprinkler system controller. Check the functionality of rain sensors, and ensure they are correctly connected. Inspect system valves for leaks, proper opening and closing, and signs of wear or damage.
- Direct: Ensure water flows and coverage are directed where it is needed. Adjust sprinkler heads to avoid overspray onto sidewalks and other hard surfaces. Group plants with similar watering needs into separate watering zones, and adjust schedules and runtimes.
- Select: Explore alternative watering methods, such as drip irrigation or microsprinklers. Consider upgrading to WaterSense-labeled or smart irrigation systems for automatic adjustments based on weather and soil moisture.
The details
The city’s water conservation team actively analyzes data from the remote read meters to pinpoint customers whose water consumption may warrant a postcard. According to the news release, the focus is on customers with possible irrigation usage registering on Monday, a day that city ordinance allows watering only by a handheld hose, a soaker hose or drip irrigation.
The release listed the following tips to avoid receiving an irrigation advisory postcard:
- Sign up for the MyH20 portal. Monitor and track water usage to stay informed, and adjust as needed.
- Know watering days. The city has a year-round watering schedule that allows for biweekly watering based on home address.
- Watch out for common triggers: Avoid watering Sunday night pasts midnight, be mindful of hand watering and check for any automatic pool fillers that may be contributing to excessive water usage.
- Get in touch with the water conservation team. Visit SaveFWWater to get additional help and information.