With summer and wet weather approaching, it’s easy to put thoughts of water conservation on hold, especially when we see all the water bodies around us. However, “even though about 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, less than 1 percent is available for human use” (About WaterSense, 2021).

What does that look like? Imagine starting with a two-liter soda bottle filled with water, representing all of the water on our planet. Of that two-liter bottle, only 1/4 cup or about 3% represents the amount of fresh water on the planet, including lakes, glaciers, ice caps and water trapped underground. What astounds me is the amount of that 1/4 cup that is unpolluted and available for safe drinking: one drop! One drop that is to be shared with every person on earth every day. More astonishing is that we choose to use 60% of that one drop to water our landscapes.

Several articles have been written in this column space to describe how our landscapes can contribute to saving water. These articles described how slowing the flow of stormwater run-off allows time for natural filtration into our aquifer. Other articles described how planting native and Florida friendly plants in the right place requires less water once established.

Expanding on those discussions, this article looks at irrigation systems and water conservation. Homeowners and business owners are very familiar with using Energy Star rated appliances indoors to save energy, water and money, but what can we do outdoors? By far, the least amount of environmental impact is to have a Florida friendly yard that is watered by Mother Nature. Another low impact method is to collect rainwater in rain barrels and hand water our landscape beds. For those of us who have the luxury and convenience of automated, mechanical irrigation systems, there is much we can do to accomplish the task of keeping our yards healthy and beautiful while at the same time irrigating efficiently to save water.

Typical landscapes with automated in-ground sprinkler systems, also known as “set and forget” systems, have been found to use 47% more water than non-automated above ground systems (Haley et al., 2008). With these systems, timers are set to designate frequency and duration of irrigation and then may be forgotten resulting in no accommodation for seasonal rainfall changes, soil moisture retention or changing needs of established plants. A standard system is commonly designed and programmed with only the needs of thirsty turf considered. This frequently results in the overwatering of ornamentals directly contributing to increased pests, diseases, weeds and root rot. In addition, “a household with an automatic landscape irrigation system that isn’t properly maintained and operated can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water annually” (About WaterSense, 2021).

More efficient systems are available in the form of low pressure, low flow microirrigation systems. These systems can be installed above or below ground and can be attached to an existing in-ground system. There are several choices of microirrigation systems. Drip tubing systems are connected to the water source and placed throughout the bed. A variety of simple devices are connected to the tubing to irrigate more efficiently. Drip emitters slowly release water by targeting the base of plants. Bubblers can be installed at the base of a larger plant or tree, bubbling water over the irrigation head directly to the root ball. Micro-sprayers are irrigation heads that spray jets of water over a larger area up to 8 feet in diameter (Yasalonis & Dukes, 2017).

In this age of technology, you can also explore Smart Controllers. These controllers are programmed to work with sensors measuring actual soil moisture. Some are aligned with local weather conditions and can be managed from your home Wi-Fi system. “Replacing a clock-based controller with a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller can reduce an average home’s irrigation water use by up to 30 percent and can save an average home up to 15,000 gallons of water annually” (About WaterSense, 2021).

Deciding which system is right for you is dependent on many factors, particularly landscape design and soil composition. Start by becoming familiar with your local irrigation ordinances. Next, consider bringing soil samples from various areas of your yard to the Lee County Extension Office for testing. Make a sketch of your yard, identifying landscaping zones and distinguishing turf zones from flower beds. Group drought tolerant plants in one area and water loving plants in another. Add mulch to the beds to improve organic matter in the soil and increase its water holding capacity. Inspect, repair and install irrigation systems that meet the needs of the plants in each zone or hire a certified professional to inspect and evaluate your system and make recommendations. (Lewis et al., 2016)

As responsible gardeners, we hold in the balance our wish for beautiful, lush landscapes with the necessity for pure, clean drinking water. It is not an either/or dilemma. We can do both. Understanding our options will help us make more sustainable irrigation decisions and conserve our precious water resource.

For more information, visit the Florida Water Management District home page at https://www.sfwmd.gov/community-residents/water-conservation.

Deborah Haggett is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer and a member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. Visit us at www.gardenclubofcapecoral.com

References

About WaterSense. (2021, March 18). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/water sense/about-watersense