New irrigation sprinkler regulations for the state of California were implemented January 2020, helping the state meet its water management and conservation goals. All new sprinklers must contain pressure regulators that restrict water flow to manufacturer-recommended levels of 30 psi beginning this year, eliminating misting and overshooting, both of which waste water. Previously required only on new landscapes, now all existing systems must use sprinkler heads with pressure regulating technology.
Significant Water Savings can be achieved
Nearly half of California’s drinking water is used outdoors, mainly for irrigation of lawns and gardens . Pressure regulated sprinklers are estimated to save more than 400 million gallons of water per day, enough savings to meet the water needs of the city of San Diego for 10 years.
The cost of this water-saving technology will raise the price of your sprinkler heads about $3, however, it will lower your water costs significantly, quickly absorbing your upgrade expenses. The National Resources Defense Council expects that water savings in the first year will easily outweigh your investment, providing significant savings over the life of the product.
A Closer Look at the Math
Under normal operation, pressure regulated sprinklers use about 20-25% less water than standard sprinklers. However, when a nozzle breaks, pressure regulators save 70% of water typically lost, making a huge difference.
Chad Sutton, Water Resource Manager at Gachina Landscape Management, explains, “At a city water pressure of 55psi, sprinklers without pressure regulation have a 20 gallons per minute (GPM) flow rate. With a pressure regulator, you could save 7.2 GPM.” He further explains, “In a zoned system with 15 heads, the savings would be 1.3 GPM per sprinkler head. Based on the average cost of water in the region, the extra $3 per head ($45 additional) could be recuperated in just nine months, delivering a fast return on investment.”
Save on Sprinkler Upgrades by Acting Now
By acting now, you can take advantage of existing rebates and incentives while they last. Each water district offers distinctive discounts. Many issue rebate checks or credit your bill $10 – 20 per sprinkler head for upgrading to more efficient options. Contact Gachina to learn more about available incentives as well as additional recommended irrigation upgrades for optimum water management and usage. Prompt action is recommended to avoid supplier inventory shortages and rising costs due to high demand, limiting your ability to upgrade.
Help California preserve this precious resource and let’s save you some money as well. Learn more about installing pressure regulators to meet new irrigation sprinkler regulations. Contact Gachina Landscape Management at 650-853-0400 today.
