Tips For Efficient Water Usage With A Domestic Irrigation System

In recent years there’s been a focus on ensuring we use water efficiently, not least because of the many years of drought we endured, particularly in Queensland. The perception was, and to some extent still is, that installing sprinklers to keep your yard looking good was not only wasteful and frivolous but expensive too in terms of water consumption. However, domestic irrigation systems really don’t have to be wasteful or expensive if you follow these simple guidelines.

Divide Your Property Into Zones

Different plants and your lawn require different amounts of water so the very first thing to do is to divide your property into zones. The lawns and gardens should be watered separately and then you can divide the plants or areas of your garden that may have different watering needs, including areas that may be more exposed to the sun. Identifying which areas may need more or less water is the most effective way to minimise water wastage.

Set The Timer On Your Domestic Irrigation System

The very best time to water your yard is early morning before the sun is hot enough to scorch your plants and lawn, so between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. is fine. Contrary to popular belief, watering in the evening is not a great idea as the water can remain on the plants or surrounding ground foliage and potentially cause fungus to develop.

Some sprinkler systems come with automatic timers and rain sensors so you don’t even have to think about switching it on and off.

Water At Intervals

Often watering in one long continuous session means that much of the water doesn’t get a chance to be absorbed and runs off which is obviously wasteful. Try a couple of shorter sessions of watering with breaks in between to allow the water to be absorbed into the ground

Consider The Time Of Year

While the weather can often be unpredictable, there are definite differences between the water requirements in your yard depending on the season. Winter in Queensland can actually be very dry and you often see plants and lawns suffering as a result of the inconsistent water that they get. Optimum water efficiency can be achieved by just being season-smart and adjusting your irrigation system accordingly.

Ensure Correct Positioning Of Domestic Irrigation Sprinklers

Finally, it’s worth taking the time to ensure that your sprinklers are correctly positioned so that the spray is reaching all the necessary areas and not hitting areas like your driveway.

As you can see, using water efficiently and effectively can be achieved with garden or lawn sprinkler systems. With a little thought and careful management, your domestic irrigation systems can ensure efficient and effective water usage.

If you need assistance with correct positioning of sprinklers, we have detailed information on the radius and distances required between different sprinkler nozzles to help you further.

And remember for help and assistance with sprinkler layout design, give us a call or drop us an email.