Adjust Irrigation Controllers to Reduce Water Waste

With the end of the summer season approaching, now is the time to reduce the settings on your irrigation system. A little maintenance and diligence goes a long way - and it doesn’t take a lot of water, especially in the cooler seasons, to conserve water. September can be quite warm in Southern California, but because the days are much shorter than in July and August, it’s not necessary to water as much or as often. In fact, residents may be able to cut their watering by as much as two-thirds the amount of water that might be used during the summer. There are several factors that will contribute to the reduction of water use as the seasons change. During this time of year, plants are beginning to cycle into dormancy and require less water than the summer and spring, which is the height of the growing season. This dormancy is triggered by shorter days and less direct sunlight as opposed to warmer weather months, so even though September and October days may be warm, the extra water really does the plants no good. The soil also retains water longer; at this time of year, the water put into the soil remains in the ground longer because the plants require less water as they prepare to go dormant, and shorter days with less intense sunlight means less water evaporates. Cooler weather during the fall and winter seasons can also mean rainstorms are brought to the area, and irrigation systems can be turned off in advance of local rainstorms. They can remain off for a week or even more following major storms, because the soil retains the moisture longer than in the summer months. A good rule-of-thumb is when residents adjust thermostats due to seasonal temperature changes, adjustments can also be made to irrigation controller watering schedules as well. Residents are reminded of the 3-day-per-week watering schedule, and Riverside Highland Water Company wants to thank residents for all they are doing to conserve water.