In Southern California, water is one of our most precious resources. After three consecutive years of below normal rainfall, we are now in a 'drought emergency' and many areas of California are imposing irrigation restrictions. The biggest problem is the old school irrigation systems which are extremely wasteful and inefficient. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "Residential outdoor water use in the United States accounts for more than 9 billion gallons of water each day, mainly for landscape irrigation. Experts estimate that as much as 50 percent of this water is wasted due to overwatering caused by inefficiencies in irrigation methods and systems. Irrigation control technologies can significantly reduce overwatering by applying water only when plants need it."
The latest irrigation systems use 'smart' technology and are very effective at saving water and money. A 'smart' technology irrigation system has a controller which takes in account the weather and landscape conditions so that only the amount of water needed is used, unlike automatic timers that act blindly. This technology, combined with low-volume systems
of delivery that can be tailored to specific landscape needs, can effectively reduce overwatering. These systems are designed to deliver water directly onto the roots or underground through subirrigation, eliminating the problem of water waste through evaporation and overspray. According to the Irrigation & Green Industry website, "In this new green environment, low-volume irrigation has found its footing—or at least, its tubing. The national move toward drip makes sense. Whether the terrain is residential or commercial, drip or lowflow is a proven water-saver. With low-flow and drip, water is delivered in quantities measured in fractions of gallons-per-hour (gph), instead of gallons-per-minute (gpm). There are advantages to installing low-volume irrigation, too. Low-volume irrigation is unlikely to be banned during a drought, because of the minimum quantities of water delivered by low-pressure emitters, low-volume spitters, and bubblers.
Also, low-volume irrigation promotes healthy plant growth, because a precise amount of water can be delivered to a plant in a targeted way. Water can be steered to the trees, plants, and shrubs that need it and away from those that don’t, which reduces the chances of harmful diseases and fungi taking hold on stems or trunks." Water penetrating at the roots also encourages the roots to grow deeper, making the plants more hardy and drought resistant.
For many years, the Pacific Vista Landscape team has been delivering effective water management programs. We are experts on the latest irrigation technology and have multiple irrigation certifications. Our water management strategies help customers reduce water usage, save money and ensure a lush landscape. Our clients have saved thousands of dollars and more importantly, conserved hundreds of thousands of gallons of water. Through effective water management strategies and the use of 'smart' technologies, it is possible to achieve a lush, healthy landscape, while achieving water conservation and money saving goals!
