Water-wise Sprinkler Basics
Soil preparation
- The importance of adequate soil preparation cannot be over-emphasized.
Tilling with amendment promotes deep root development, which helps
sustain grass during hot dry weather.
- Rototill to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
- Incorporate at least 3 cubic yards of compost per 1,000 square
feet.
- Do it yourself, or closely check your contractoręs work.
Correct water pressure
- Correct water pressure is essential for efficient water distribution.
- If the water pressure is too high:
- Heads produce mist instead of spraying large droplets
- Significant water is lost to evaporation and wind
- Water use (flow) increases
- Usable precipitation decreases
Water-wise sprinkler equipment
- Spray heads with built in pressure regulation
- Spray heads and rotors with built in check valves
- Valves with flow control
- Real-time evapotranspiration
controllers
- Rain sensors
- Wind sensors
- Fertilizer injection equipment
- Drip irrigation supplies
Efficient sprinkler design 
- Educate yourself before you design your sprinkler system.
- If you want to design the system yourself, you can attend Component
Systems' "Water-wise Sprinkler Systems" design
class,
- Or buy a CD of the class
presentation.
- If you design the system yourself and place a bulk parts order
with Component Systems, you will receive a great parts discount!
- If you have someone design your system, be sure you get:
- A design
- System operating pressure
- Equipment specifications
- Water hammer control
- Coverage/distribution diagram
- System precipitation rates/water schedule
- You will get all of the above from Component Systems!
Micro irrigation (drip) for ornamentals and gardens
- Micro irrigation is a system for distributing water directly to
the plant root zone.
- Micro irrigation is the most efficient way
to deliver water to trees, shrubs, and vegetable gardens.
- Micro
irrigation uses dramatically less water than overhead application.
Evapotranspiration (E.T.) based irrigation
scheduling
- Irrigation scheduling must be based on evapotranspiration
rates, system precipitation rates, and continual observation.
- Controller
must be flexible and precise.
- Weather-based (ET) irrigation controllers
are available.
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