Water is one of our most precious resources; however, a significant amount of water is wasted each year due to inefficient irrigation systems. Traditional systems often operate on fixed schedules and fail to consider real-time conditions, which can lead to overwatering. Fortunately, there are a variety of sustainable irrigation solutions which can be implemented to reduce water waste (and ultimately, costs as well).

According to the EPA, in the United States, outdoor water use accounts for nearly 30% of household water consumption. By implementing sustainable irrigation systems, homeowners can significantly reduce both costs and environmental impacts. Smart irrigation systems use wi-fi-enabled controllers and soil moisture sensors to adjust watering schedules based on weather forecasts and plant needs; when used properly, these systems can reduce water use by up to 50%. Homeowners can also install drip irrigation systems, which deliver water directly to plant roots to minimize the effects of evaporation and runoff, and implement hydrozoning, which is the practice of grouping plants with similar water needs together. Finally, homeowners can make small changes such as watering in the late evening or early morning to reduce the effects of evaporation, mulching to retain soil moisture, implementing rainwater and greywater collection systems, and prioritizing native plants to increase the efficiency of their water use.

Commercial landscapes also consume large amounts of water, and many rely on outdated or inefficient irrigation systems. Due to their footprint, even small upgrades to commercial irrigation systems can have a large impact on water use. Comprehensive smart irrigation systems can be installed to monitor consumption and reduce water waste across large properties. Similar to residential properties, commercial properties can also implement hydrozoning, drought-tolerant planting, and native landscaping principles to reduce water demands.

Whether you’re managing a small yard or a large campus, the basic principle of sustainable irrigation remains the same: consider and adjust to real-time conditions to use water efficiently. Smart controllers, moisture sensors, drip irrigation, and native landscaping are just some of the tools available to save water and reduce costs. Visit the “Definition” and “Action” links below for more tips on smart irrigation.