Try these simple adjustments to prevent water loss, erosion and landscape damage.
Have you ever noticed a stream of water running down the edge of a street only to follow it and discover it’s coming from someone’s in-ground irrigation system? Run-off is a common challenge with sprinkler systems in the hilly, sloped landscapes of Bexar County.
Luckily, most issues with runoff can be effectively managed by addressing the root causes of the problems.
Sloped landscapes
When water is applied on a slope, it can quickly flow downhill before it has a chance to soak in. This is particularly true for hydrophobic, compacted, or clay-heavy soils that resist quick absorption, causing water to pool and run off rather than seeping into the ground.
This can often be remedied by using a watering schedule known as “cycle and soak programming.” Rather than delivering a single, extended watering session, cycle and soak breaks the irrigation into shorter intervals. For instance, a typical 20-minute watering cycle could be divided into two 10-minute cycles with a break in between. This allows the soil to absorb the water in stages, giving it time to soak in and reducing the likelihood of runoff.
While some sprinkler controllers offer this functionality automatically, others must be programmed manually. Just remember that if you program your controller for cycle and soak, any future changes to your schedule will be multiplied by the number of cycle start times chosen.
If you choose to use multiple start times, post it clearly at the control box as a reminder to you or anyone else who may be adjusting the settings. It’s one of those features many users — including licensed irrigators — completely forget to check. And it can end up being a very costly mistake.
Low head drainage
Another common cause of run-off is called low head drainage, where water drains from the underground pipes to the lowest sprinkler heads after the zone turns off. Since water naturally flows downhill, it seeks out the lowest points, allowing water to escape at these heads long after the irrigation cycle ends. This is easily spotted if when your sprinklers turn off you notice a stream of water flowing from the heads, especially along street edges.
This form of run-off is easily addressed by either adding check-valves to the existing lowest sprinkler heads or replacing the heads with built-in check valves. These valves prevent water from draining out of the head after the zone turns off and keeps it within the sprinkler lines. By installing check valves, you not only reduce runoff but also conserve water, as you won’t need to refill the lines at the start of each new cycle.
Through simple adjustments like cycle and soak programming and the use of check valves, we can prevent water loss, erosion and landscape damage, leading to more sustainable and efficient irrigation practices.
If you need help or more guidance with any of these recommendations, remember SAWS offers free irrigation consultations!
