Irrigation System Tips
We recommend you observe your sprinkler system once per month particularly if you utilize automatic settings. This is especially important after power outages, when systems can be reset. Here are some additional tips:
You will need to know the following information:
If your system has six zones, you water two times per week and each zone is set to run for 15 minutes, you take the number of minutes and multiple it times the number of zones. This will give you the total minutes.
Total minutes times16 gallons per minute equals total gallons used per watering day. Total gallons per day times the number of days per month you water equals total gallons of water used per month.
Therefore, 15 minutes x 6 zones = 90 total minutes. 90 total minutes x 16 gallons per minute = 1,920 total gallons used per watering day. 1,440 gallons per day x 8 days per month = 11,520 total gallons of water used per month.
Here is a chart that may help you in calculating monthly usage. (Estimated monthly water usage on sprinkler systems based on 20 gallons per minute):
- Water in the early morning (4 a.m. to 10 a.m.). This allows the grass blades to dry, making them less susceptible to foliar diseases. Watering is more efficient in morning due to less evaporation and wind speed. Change the time that your system runs monthly, or at least seasonally. Contact a lawn sprinkler professional if you need help.
- A good rule of thumb—when you adjust your thermostat due to seasonal temperature changes, adjust your irrigation controller watering schedule as well.
- Look for heads that don't turn, heads that spray into the street or onto a sidewalk, bent or damaged heads, clogged or worn nozzles or orifices, turf growth around heads that impede water delivery, puddling and runoff.
- It’s a good idea to know how many watering zones and sprinkler heads per zone. This will help you calculate water usage and estimate your water bill.
How to Estimate Irrigation Consumption
You will need to know the following information:
- Number of zones
- How many minutes watering in each zone
- Pounds of pressure in the lines (use 40 psi for low and 80 psi for high)
- Number of days/weeks watering
If your system has six zones, you water two times per week and each zone is set to run for 15 minutes, you take the number of minutes and multiple it times the number of zones. This will give you the total minutes.
Total minutes times16 gallons per minute equals total gallons used per watering day. Total gallons per day times the number of days per month you water equals total gallons of water used per month.
Therefore, 15 minutes x 6 zones = 90 total minutes. 90 total minutes x 16 gallons per minute = 1,920 total gallons used per watering day. 1,440 gallons per day x 8 days per month = 11,520 total gallons of water used per month.
Here is a chart that may help you in calculating monthly usage. (Estimated monthly water usage on sprinkler systems based on 20 gallons per minute):
| Zones | Frequency | 5 Minutes | 10 Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Stations | Every day (30 days per month) Every other day (15 days per month) Twice a week (8 days per month) Once a week (4 days per month |
9,000 gallons 4,500 2,400 1,200 |
18,000 gallons 9,000 4,800 2,400 |
| 4 Stations | Every day (30 days per month) Every other day (15 days per month) Twice a week (8 days per month) Once a week (4 days per month |
12,000 6,000 3,200 1,600 |
24,000 12,000 6,400 3,200 |
| 5 Stations | Every day (30 days per month) Every other day (15 days per month) Twice a week (8 days per month) Once a week (4 days per month |
15,000 7,500 4,000 2,000 |
30,000 15,000 8,000 4,000 |
| 6 Stations | Every day (30 days per month) Every other day (15 days per month) Twice a week (8 days per month) Once a week (4 days per month |
18,000 9,000 4,800 2,400 |
36,000 18,000 9,600 4,800 |
| 7 Stations | Every day (30 days per month) Every other day (15 days per month) Twice a week (8 days per month) Once a week (4 days per month |
21,000 10,500 5,600 2,800 |
42,000 21,000 11,200 5,600 |
| 8 Stations | Every day (30 days per month) Every other day (15 days per month) Twice a week (8 days per month) Once a week (4 days per month |
24,000 12,000 6,200 3,200 |
48,000 24,000 12,800 6,400 |
