We noticed a large amount of water running down the street gutter while working at a jobsite and walked up the hill to

see the source. The entrance to the neighborhood had the irrigation system running and the number of irrigation heads and choice of nozzles resulted in the massive overspray and water loss. Looking in the photo, you can see 6 of the 7 heads spraying into a very small area. We are not sure why there are 2 heads almost next to each other near the curb. This style of nozzle applies water at quite a high rate.

Here is more info regarding just how much water. This style of nozzle can easily push ~1.4 gallons per minute. With 7 heads in this small area, and a zone running for 10 minutes, a total of just under 100 gallons of water was being applied to this very small area. The other problem is that the volume is being applied so fast that the ground cannot absorb it, so it runs off and down the street. If the irrigation system is not on a regulator and is running at a higher psi, it will be putting out even more gallons in the same time period.

A proper fix would be to remove some of the existing heads and have maybe 4 heads for the entire area, allowing overlap of the heads. Then, the nozzles should be replaced with a different style that will deliver the water at a slower rate. There are nozzles that apply water at ~0.38 gallons per minute. By changing the nozzles, the water will be applied at a rate that the soil can accept more of it with less ...»

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Improper irrigation. Count the number of heads.

14 Comments

Steve G Fort Collins, CO

Great tips. I also hate to see wasted water, and it's a more serious issue out here than in GA.

on Dec 15, 2011 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

I thought the reason for licensing irrigation installers was to avoid exactly the situation you have described.

on Dec 16, 2011 · Like 0
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

Here's my bet: the area in fron of the shrubs was originally turf, so the short heads were installed for that. Then someone decided to put in an annual bed, so the tall heads were put in for that. But NO ONE discussed the fact that this would make two systems water the same area.
I'd love to see a progression of what happens in the future at this site.

on Dec 16, 2011 · Like 0
Southern Trillium LLC Stone Mountain, GA

Douglas, Georgia currently does not require a license for irrigation.
And Walter, I emailed our client regarding what we saw at the entrance and what should be done to remedy the situation. The client said she has been pointing this out to the HOA but they have not listened to her concerns. She said that she was forwarding my email to them and that hopefully they will take notice of the issue along with what I suggested needs to be fixed by an irrigation ...»
contractor. I told her that I could give them some names of companies that know how to properly fix and adjust the system and that it would stop such a loss. Just imagine, both sides of their entrance are the same way, so double the loss.

on Dec 16, 2011 · Like 0
Joe Washington Marietta, GA

This kind of thing goes on at so many private residences. Examples are folks watering fescue lawns during the summer in the middle of the day, and sprinkler heads watering the street. I personally think some regulation is necessary but even as a homeowner I can make modifications to my irrigation system that might be considered wasteful. How do you prevent that? We could have quite a discussion about this and I too am interested in what happens at the neighborhood entrance.. .

on Dec 16, 2011 · Like 0
Mike and Anne Raleigh, NC

Raleigh has pretty strict watering regulations and more and more communities area jumping on the bandwagon in North Carolina as we face continued drought conditions. Lots of folks waste water in the landscape and it costs us all.

on Dec 16, 2011 · Like 0
Teresa D Snellville, GA

Southern, it was great of you to take the initiative to address the problem. Kudos to you!

on Dec 16, 2011 · Like 0
Garden Rebel / Sims Lands... Orlando, FL

This is a major problem in Florida too. I have had customers who have told me that they never have checked their system. At least once a month you should go through your system to look for clogged heads, slow leaks, broken heads and any other issue. Otherwise it could become an irritation system!

on Dec 16, 2011 · Like 0
Deborah C Durham, NC

Runoff can cause more problems than soil erosion, which in itself is bad enough. Pollutants from the street and even the soil end up in water ways causing multiple problems. Water, clean water is a very valuable resource that should never be wasted. Putting in and using an irrigation system can save water when designed, installed, and maintained correctly. It's too bad that a license is required to use common sense.

on Dec 16, 2011 · Like 0
SawHorse.net Atlanta, GA

I see quite a few sidewalks and driveways get watered as well. Brilliant!

on Dec 16, 2011 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

I was somewhat surprised to find my county has some of the toughest standards in the state of Florida for irrigation licensing. You have to have to have two years of experience, and pass both a skills test and a two-hour business and law examination with a grade of 75 percent or better. As water is increasingly valued, I see more counties and states going this way.

on Dec 17, 2011 · Like 0
Donna Dixson Buford, GA

I noticed a broken head this summer at Mayfield Dairy entrance gushing water on my drive to the nursery from home about 6 am in the morning-I looked up the number and gave them a call, was put in one of those horrible ques with auto responses. I left a message. This went on for no less than two week. I talked one of my customers who works for them and asked him to make them aware of the issue. The head remand broken for about 5 weeks. It drove me nutts passing it daily ruining the grass and wasting the water....blech...

on Dec 17, 2011 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

In some part of the arid west ...this practice could lead to citations.

on Dec 17, 2011 · Like 0
Charles R Longwood, FL

I completely agree with you! Here in Florida, on a daily basis, I see this enormous amount of water waste, daily! The Professional Landscapers are lazy and/or ignorant about other choices. They simply use the easiest and what looks to do the job. Your article above is spot on!

on Dec 17, 2011 · Like 0