Your irrigation system is such a critical part of your landscape. Here in Texas, where drought is common, without proper irrigation your valuable grass and plants can really suffer—and possibly even die.

Of course, that’s not to say that you don’t want to water wisely.

You want to feel confident that your landscape is getting what it needs—but not that you’re paying more than you need to because your property is not being watered efficiently. New technologies and improved equipment are making irrigation more efficient than ever and if you haven’t incorporated them, you could be sending money down the drain (literally!) with all of that excess water.

Here are 5 money-saving irrigation practices that should be on your radar.

1. Meter the Irrigation System

Installing a meter specifically meant for your irrigation system will separate out what you’re using for irrigation—and this can be beneficial if you live in an area where sewage fees are paid on the basis of water usage. This could save you quite a bit of money.

2. Add a Flow Meter

For a large system, a flow meter also makes a lot of sense when it comes to cutting down water waste. A flow meter is going to allow you to monitor your water usage—specifically how many gallons are going out. If the system suddenly senses a high flow, it will automatically shut down. This provides peace of mind that if you had a big leak, you’re not going to waste excessive amounts of water.

3. Install Smart Irrigation Controllers

Rain sensors are a valuable technological addition to irrigation systems which can help prevent costly overwatering. With an older system, watering is going to take place at a predetermined time, regardless of conditions. But with the use of a rain sensor, watering will be adjusted based on the soil’s needs. In other words, if it’s rained all day, your system probably doesn’t need to come on.

Other smart controllers use ET (evapotranspiration) weather data to adjust irrigation schedules. Tests performed by the Irrigation Association (IA) have found that smart irrigation controllers can save up to 20 percent more water than traditional controllers.

4. Upgrade for Even Distribution

Another benefit of upgrading your irrigation technology to a newer system is that newer systems can improve the uniformity of water distribution. An irrigation contractor can also help make sure that systems are properly nozzled and spaced. This is important as upgrading to a newer system—but having a poor installation—is not going to help you get the maximum benefit out of that upgrade. The last thing that you want to see is your irrigation system watering your hardscaping. But how often do you drive by properties and witness just that? It’s a clear example of money going down the drain.

5. Have a Water Audit

It might also be helpful to have a water audit performed. At Carruther’s, we will request five years of history from the water company and examine usage, looking for potential problems and also helping predict future bills. This has allowed a lot of companies that we work with to better budget and ultimately save money on water use.

At Carruthers, we can help find ways to save your property money while also helping you to get the results that you’re after. The bottom line is that we’re here to serve you and be your partner in all of your landscape needs.