Types of Watering Systems
A well-planned and maintained watering system can help you avoid watering too much. It can also save you money and result in healthier plants. Whether you are installing a new system or updating an existing one, there are many options. Read on to see which systems use less water and deliver it to the right spot (your plants' roots). Contents are arranged from most to least efficient.
This page includes information on: Drip irrigation systems | Multi-stream rotating nozzles | Soaker hoses | Traditional spray heads | Other outdoor water-saving products
Drip Irrigation System
Drip irrigation can be one of the most water-efficient ways to irrigate many types of plants. This is because they direct water to the base of the plants at a rate the soil can absorb. Drip system emitter devices can put out ½ gallon to 15 gallons per hour. Like any watering system, drip irrigation must be properly set up and maintained to be water efficient.
There are many different types of drip irrigation equipment. This includes drippers, bubblers, soakers (inline emitters), and micro-sprayers. You can customize drip systems to use automatic timers and to have several zones. This makes it possible to tailor each zone to meet specific plant needs or soil conditions. Drip systems save water when they have a pressure regulator, a filter, and use one type of emitter device per zone. Drip irrigation systems work best for gardens, trees, and shrubs. They do not work well for lawns.
Multi-stream Rotating Nozzles
Systems that have multi-stream rotating nozzles are generally more efficient than traditional spray head systems. This is because they apply large droplets of water at a slower rate. They also put out water more uniformly than fixed pattern nozzles. Larger droplets are less likely to evaporate and more likely to water your plants. Delivering water at a slower rate also helps reduce the chance of runoff.
Multi-stream rotating nozzles are very accessible on the market and cost around $10-20 per head. Rather than replacing the entire head, you can also replace just the spray nozzle for about $3 each. You may even be able to switch the heads on your existing sprinkler system to this kind of head! They can cover both large and small areas. Rotor systems are your best bet for lawns or grass fields. They work for other types of plants too!
Soaker Hose
A soaker hose is a porous hose that releases water slowly and evenly to water plants at their roots. Water seeps out of tiny holes in the hose to water dense plantings or individual plants. Soaker hoses are most effective at low water pressure and flow. Start by turning on water slowly until water begins seeping, but not spraying. Add a pressure regulator to your soaker hose to ensure even water pressure along the length of the hose. This will make it so that your hose releases the same amount of water from one end to the other.
Using soaker hoses can be an inexpensive alternative to a drip irrigation system. You can also customize a watering system to your garden by attaching soaker hoses to solid hoses. This way, you avoid wasting water in areas that do not need it. Soaker hoses work best for gardens, trees, and shrubs. They do not work well for lawns. Learn more about soaker hoses with this PDF from the Saving Water Partnership.
Traditional Fixed Pattern Spray Head Sprinkler System
Traditional automatic spray systems use pop-up spray sprinkler heads. They put out water in a fixed patter that is either a full circle, a half circle, or a quarter circle. They are usually less efficient than multi-stream rotating nozzles or drip irrigation systems. This is because they often put water down on the ground faster than our region’s clay soil can absorb it. Another reason is because the water pressure is higher than the nozzles can handle which causes them to “mist” or “fog”. These smaller droplets tend to float in the air and get lost to evaporation or wind rather than soaking into the soil.
You may be able to make your spray head irrigation system more efficient, though! Many can be converted to use more efficient multi-stream rotating nozzles or into drip irrigation systems.
Other Water–Saving Outdoor Products:
These are a few products that will help make your watering system more efficient. Add them onto existing systems or incorporate them into new builds:
- Rain Sensors
A rain sensor makes sure sprinklers don’t run while it’s raining. They do this by measuring rainfall and signaling the system not to water. Once the rain has stopped, the sensor signals the system to resume its normal schedule. - Rain gauges
A rain gauge is a manual or digital device that measures rainfall. This can help you or your irrigation controller adjust the amount of water you use. Incorporating rainfall into the amount you water will help you avoid overwatering. - Soil moisture sensors
Soil moisture sensors measure the amount of water in the soil at a given time. There are stationary types (they stay in one place) and portable types (they can be moved around). When placed around your landscape, they can tell you if you need to water or not. Many sensors can connect to your irrigation system controller. - Smart Controllers
A smart controller, also known as a weather-based irrigation controller, is an internet-enabled irrigation device. It adjusts how long and how often your irrigation system runs based on how much water your landscape needs.
Other Things You Should Know: Cross Connection (Backflow) Protection
In Oregon, all permanent irrigation systems must have backflow protection installed. You need to have your backflow assembly tested each year as required by law. Backflow protection prevents the mixing of irrigation water with drinking water. This keeps fertilizers and other chemicals out of our community’s water system.
Contact your water provider for specific information on rules and regulations. Ask for a cross connection or backflow specialist, if available. They may also have a list of local testers. Oregon Health Authority maintains this list of testers in the State of Oregon.