Colorado is a state that is known for taking its environment seriously. With many citizens taking advantage of all that the great outdoors has to offer, we are incredibly conscious of our land and the challenges it faces. Water conservation has become increasingly important over the years, with much of our state facing drought conditions on a yearly basis. Commercial property owners in Colorado find themselves faced with the challenge of maintaining visually appealing landscapes while also embracing the water conservation principles we hold so dear.
In this article, we will discuss ways that you can optimize your commercial property’s water usage while still sustaining an appealing landscape:
5 Ways to Maximize Your Irrigation System’s Efficiency
Install Smart Irrigation Controllers
Smart irrigation technology is quickly becoming the go-to for water efficient irrigation systems. Smart irrigation systems use a variety of sensors to adjust to watering needs on the fly, giving them a huge advantage over traditional systems that rely solely on human-set timers. Smart systems are able to monitor weather and soil moisture levels in real-time, assuring that watering only occurs at the right time and under the right conditions. This can significantly reduce water loss from evaporation brought on by heat or strong winds.
Utilize Drip Irrigation Systems
A popular option for hot, dry climates, drip irrigation is incredibly water efficient if set up properly. Instead of using normal sprinkler heads to spray water into the air and cover an area of the landscape, drip irrigation uses pipes with tiny holes drilled through them to allow water to drip out gently and directly into the soil. Some systems are even installed under the soil, allowing water to be delivered directly to plant roots. Drip irrigation avoids the problems of water evaporation that traditional sprinklers run into, and the use of timers, valves, and other controls allows the system to ensure maximum efficiency with virtually no water waste.
Make Water-Conscious Landscape Design Choices
Another method of reducing irrigation water usage is to incorporate water-conscious choices into your landscape design. One method is to take advantage of native plants well-accustomed to local conditions; Colorado is home to a large variety of plants that require little to no watering at all. Limiting grass areas is also important since they require large quantities of water to thrive; replacing lawns with mulch, gravel, or hardscapes will also greatly reduce the watering needs of your property.
Follow All Local Rules and Regulations
As many areas of the Western United States have dealt with drought conditions for several years now, many cities and counties have begun implementing rules and regulations about irrigation for non-agricultural purposes. It’s essential that you follow all of your local rules and regulations in order to cut down on water usage and avoid non-compliance issues.
Denver has implemented these watering rules during the peak summer watering season (May 1 – October 1):
- Water during cooler times of the day; lawn watering is NOT allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m
- Water no more than three days per week
- Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys
- Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt
- Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days
- Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds
Perform a Full Irrigation System Audit Before Sprinkler Season
The easiest way to ensure that your property is conserving as much water as possible come sprinkler season is to examine the entire irrigation system beforehand. An irrigation system audit will inspect the entire system, piece by piece, to ensure that all parts are in working order and that all controllers, timers, and other electronic components are properly tuned. A leaky sprinkler head can waste hundreds of gallons of water in just a few days – noticing it is damaged before turning everything on can make a huge difference in conserving water during sprinkler season.
Get Your Commercial Irrigation System Ready for Next Year’s Watering Season with GroundMasters Landscape Services
With close to 30 years of experience, our commercial irrigation system experts can help optimize your water usage, ensuring that your landscape gets the most out of every drop of precious water. We offer the full range of irrigation system services, as well as a comprehensive list of seasonal commercial landscape services, to be your year-round full service provider.
To see what GroundMasters can do for your Denver area business or commercial property, give us a call today at (303) 750-8867 or get in touch with us online to get started.