Reducing irrigation costs

Our association has 84 units that are either two or three units together. As a result of this design, we have a lot of common grounds between units and between units and the street that the association is responsible to water. The city has increased the cost of water this past June and as a result the irrigation bill has grown exponentially. Please offer some advice as to reducing the cost of watering the common areas. Thank you.

One method is to utilize a controller that adjusts watering based on weather forecasts.

Google can be your friend (sometimes) – here are some tips its AI pulled up:

Water in the early morning: Water between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. to minimize evaporation from the sun and heat.

Water less often but deeply: Instead of daily, water less frequently to encourage deeper root growth, making your lawn more resilient. Aim for about one to one and a half inches of water per session.

Avoid watering just before, during, or after a rainstorm, and be sure to turn off your system if it has recently rained. Tim noted his community adjusts watering based on weather forecasts and I’ve heard there are some devices you can attached to a sprinkler that can detect if it’s raining and will stop the water automatically. There are also sprinklers the can be set to only water the grass, not the sidewalk or driveway You may be able to find them at gardening supply companies, but I’d do a little more research to see if they’re affective

Mow high: Raise your mower blade to the highest setting. Closely cut grass requires more water.

Use mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around plants and on your lawn to help retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation.

Improve soil: Aerate your soil and improve its health to help it retain more water.

Plant water-efficiently: Choose native, drought-resistant plants that need less water. Consider planting trees and shrubs in the spring or autumn when temperatures are cooler.

Inspect for leaks: Regularly check your sprinkler system, hoses, and faucets for leaks or damaged parts, as even a small leak can waste thousands of gallons of water a year.

Upgrade sprinkler heads: Replace old spray nozzles with newer, high-efficiency models.
Make sure your sprinklers aren't watering driveways or sidewalks. Consider installing a moisture sensor that automatically prevents the system from watering if the soil is already wet.

Install a rain barrel: Collect rainwater from your roof to use for watering your lawn and plants. Here are some more notes on that subject:

• Check local regulations: Before you begin, make sure rainwater harvesting is legal in your area.
• Set up storage: Place a sturdy, opaque rain barrel with a lid on a level, elevated surface like cinder blocks or a sturdy table to create water pressure. The higher the barrel, the greater the pressure.
• Filter the water: Install a filter on the lid to keep debris, leaves, and insects out of the barrel. You may need to clean the gutters regularly to prevent them from clogging.

Connect to irrigation:
• For low-pressure systems: Use a spigot and a hose to connect to a soaker hose or drip irrigation system, which can work with gravity alone if the barrel is elevated and the drip lines are lower than the water level.
• For high-pressure systems: For sprinklers, you will need a pump to provide sufficient pressure.

Advanced options and maintenance
• First flush diverter: For larger systems, install a diverter to send the first few gallons of rainwater away from the main storage tank, as this runoff can contain high levels of pollutants from the roof.
• Autofill/ diverter system: Consider an autofill or diverter that switches to a municipal water source when the rain barrel is low.
• Maintenance: Regularly clean your gutters at least twice a year to remove debris. Wash the barrel with a tablespoon of bleach once a year to keep it clean. Be aware that if using the water for edible plants, some studies suggest testing the water quality for contaminants like metals and pathogens

I’d also talk to a rain barrel retailer or someone who specializes in eco-friendly landscaping to see if this could be an option for your community – even a few rain barrels might make a difference. Find someone who’d be willing to visit to see what you’re dealing with. Good luck!

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