Irrigation Articles
This site has hundreds of articles on various water-related topics. But the often overlooked place to start is with your irrigation system. In some locales, irrigation can account for nearly 50% of your water use. An efficient irrigation system will save you water. Coupled with great soil and your plants will be healthy, last longer and provide you year-in, year-out well being.
Below are some articles to get started or start with the FREE Site Analyzer and save some time. >> Site Analyzer
Irrigation and Filtration
Although rain is almost pure, it needs filtration for every use including irrigation. Although in the sky rainwater is relatively clean, it is not by the time it reaches your irrigation system. Your roof, your conveyance system, your tanks all add contaminants to your rainwater that need to be removed prior to using it in your irrigation system. >> more
 Irrigation Basics
In 1965, the Israeli Kibbutz Hatzetim opened the first manufacturing facility for drip irrigation components. The scarcity of water in the desert and the desperate need for agricultural sustainability gave birth to the international company we know today as the Netafim Corporation. Netafim is primarily recognized for its unique and proprietary pressure-compensated self-flushing inline drip emitters. >> more
EPA Water Budget Tool
Want to understand how efficient your irrigation system really is? The EPA has a water budget to help you. It will require a little work, but does give you a good overview of how your system is performing. Since irrigation can use almost 50% of our water use in many locales, a little effort can save alot of water. This is a link to the EPA excel-based tool. >> more
What is QWEL?
QWEL stands for Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper. It is a program out of California that is recognized by the EPA and trains and certifies irrigation professionals. Getting a QWEL irrigation ensures your irrigation system is efficient and upto date. It is a great way to save water >> more
Conserving Water by Mimicking Mother Nature
One of the biggest potable water uses is outdoor irrigation. There are many mechanical and active ways to reduce this water use but maintaining healthy soil has not been talked about as a popular method. For example, installing a rainwater harvesting system, installing a gray water system, upgrading your irrigation system with rain and moisture sensors; replacing plants with more drought-tolerant ones; or simply adding a few more inches of mulch around your plants are popular methods. These are all great improvements and all will definitely result in a lower water bill. >> more
Swales & Berms: Low Tech Solution for Rainwater Runoff
iHere's a sample of email questions I've been getting lately:
- What can I do with all this rainwater? I have rain barrels, but they overflow. How can I deal with the overflow?
- I don't have time or money to install rain barrels or gutters, but I still would like to save rain water, what can I do?
Swales or berms could be your answer. They are literally as old as the hills and have been used to control water flow for centuries. Today they are still used around the world but have been all but forgotten here in the United States as a way to conserve water. (This is getting to be a familiar refrain!) >> more
Store Water Underground with Watson Wicks
When we hear the term below-ground water storage, a buried cistern is what usually comes to mind. Yet there is another approach that has been used for centuries — a water wick. These structures hold water and release it slowly over time. They are also commonly known as Watson wicks or pumice wicks. It has been known for centuries that mixing organic materials into soil helps it absorb and retain water. Water wicks are taking this concept to the next level by providing a large, constructed basin for this water storage. >> more
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