Springtime Sprinkler Spruce Up
When Spring rolls around—are your sprinklers ready? Spruce up your sprinkler system now to maximize performance while minimizing water waste this summer. When it comes to a home’s irrigation system, a little maintenance goes a long way. Your landscape and your wallet will thank you. It doesn’t take much to prepare your sprinkler system for efficient warm weather watering.
Inspect
Make sure to inspect your sprinkler system for any clogged, broken, or missing heads. If you’re not quite sure what to look for, it’s a good idea to call in a professional. Look for an irrigation expert certified by a WaterSense labeled program to check your system for leaks.
Connect
Examine points where the sprinkler heads connect to pipes or hoses. If water pools in your yard or you have large wet areas, you could have a leak in your system. Did you know that a leak as small as the tip of a ballpoint pen (about 1/32 of an inch) can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month?
Get notified of possible leaks and check for spikes in your water use:
Visit the City of Bend WaterSmart Portal
Direct
Aim your sprinklers at your landscaping and try to avoid spraying sidewalks and driveways. Are you accidentally watering the driveway, house, or sidewalk instead of your yard? Reduce waste by adjusting your sprinklers to water only the grassy or planted areas.
Select
Choose the best watering schedule for each season. An irrigation controller that’s not set up correctly can waste both water and money. Adjust your system’s watering schedule to match the changing water needs of your plants throughout the seasons using the Seasonal Adjust % feature. If you’re setting up your system for the first time, check out Bend’s outdoor watering schedule for the recommended days and hours.
Once your system is running efficiently, make scheduling easier by installing a WaterSense-labeled controller. You can even get a $100 rebate from the City of Bend for installing a Smart Irrigation controller. Find more details: