Irrigation Efficiency

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Irrigation Efficiency
Dr. Dotty Woodson Extension Program Specialist
Water Resources Texas AgriLife Extension Service
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Irrigation Efficiency

• Residential and commercial landscapes use more
  than 25 percent of the total water consumption in
  urban areas of Texas.
• Water usage increases 25 to 60 during the
  summer.
• Rain and Freeze Sensors

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Irrigation Efficiency

• How Often?
• How Long?
• When?

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Irrigation Efficiency BMPs

• Water only when required. Only judge water
  requirements in the morning.
• Water deeply to promote deep roots and healthy
  turf. An inch of water will generally penetrate
  the soil to a depth of six inches.
• Water slowly for better absorption. Use drip or
  soaker hoses wherever possible.
• Never water on windy days.
• Water early in the morning to reduce wasteful
  evaporation.
• Mulch flower, groundcover, garden and shrub areas
  two to three times a year.
• Water newly planted flowers, shrubs and trees
  individually.
• Water without creating runoff.
• Audit irrigation system 1 or 2 times a year.

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Irrigation Efficiency
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Irrigation Efficiency
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Irrigation Audit

• Check every sprinkler head
• Make any repairs
• Run system with catchment cans
• Correct any poor distribution
• Time how long each station needs to run
• Set controller

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Use Drip Irrigation90 Efficient

• Shrubs areas
• Flower beds
• Vegetable Garden
• Groundcover areas

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Drip Irrigation
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Dr. Dotty Woodson Extension Program Specialist-
Water Resources Texas AgriLife
Extension 17360 Coit Road Dallas, Texas
75252 972-952-9688 D-woodson_at_tamu.edu