Landscape Water Conservation Best Practices Presented by Dr. Dotty Woodson Extension Program Specialist Water Resources Biological and Agricultural Engineering Licensed Irrigator 0017281 Horticulture Professional Rainwater Harvesting Professional Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Dallas, TX
Water Issues Water Conservation Water use Increases 35 to 70% during irrigation season Is there enough water for irrigation? Can water conservation practices make a difference? Water Quality Contamination/pollution Agriculture Landscapes Parking lots Construction sites
50 inches short since October 2010 Average rainfall is 32 inches a year July and August are the hottest driest months Irrigation is important for beautiful landscapes An efficient irrigation system does not waste water Efficiency is achieved through design, installation and maintenance Deficit Rainfall
Conservation Conservation is the easiest and least expensive method to sustain our water resources
Water Cycle
Groundwater Conservation Districts
Growth and Water
Cost of State Water Plan per Region Fort Bend County is in RWPG H Water Planning Group Texas Regional Water Planning Groups
Conservation Forced Tiered water bills Water restrictions Landscape ordinances Irrigation ordinance Volunteer Indoor Outdoor
Conjunctive Use Surface Water mixed with groundwater
Interbasin Transfer
Wetland Water Reuse John Bunker Sands Dallas
Recycled/Reuse Water San Antonio
Desalination El Paso, Texas 27 million gallons a day
Aquifer Storage and Recovery
Education
Dallas Water Conservation Accomplishments Measures adopted by Council have had positive impacts: Estimated 212 billion gallons of water saved since 2001 ( extends supply by almost 1.5 years) GPCD has reduced approximately 27% from FY01 to FY14 Reduced consumption has mitigated the impact of drought conditions on water supply Dallas continues to pursue additional conservation strategies: Dallas Water Use (GPCD) 300 280 260 240 220 48% of future water supply will be met 200 through conservation and reuse based on the Long Range Water Supply Plan s 180 recommended strategies Y1996 Y1997 Y1998 Y1999 Y2000 Y2001 Y2002 Y2003 Y2004 Y2005 Y2006 Y2007 Y2008 Y2009 Y2010 Y2011 Y2012 Y2013 Y2014 Y2015
Landscape Water Conservation Earth Kind Texas SmartScape Xeriscape Water Smart Waterwise Yard Smart
Water Conservation Immediate Recommendations Educate yourself about water conservation practices Set and reset irrigation controller to comply with water restrictions Install/check Rain and Freeze Sensor Upgrade Controller Check irrigation system for efficiency Make any repairs Create Cycle and Soak schedule if necessary Correct irrigation design if necessary Replace spray emitters with water conserving emitters Mulch all planted beds - shrubs, groundcover, flowers Cut lawn 1/3 taller during hot summer Aerate compacted lawns Add ½ compost to increase infiltration rate Don t Bag It
Long Term Investments in Landscapes Redesign Landscape for water conservation Plant selection Convert to drip irrigation Add shade cloth or structure or plant tree Rainwater harvesting for landscape use Rain Garden for stormwater protection
Water Restrictions VS Conservation Water Restriction Stage 1 Water 2/week except Stage 2 Water 1/week except Stage 3 Water every other week except Stage 4 No out door watering except Water Conservation Install/check Rain and Freeze Sensor Upgrade Controller Check irrigation system for efficiency Make any repairs Create Cycle and Soak schedule if necessary Correct irrigation design if necessary Replace spray emitters with water conserving emitters Mulch all planted beds - shrubs, groundcover, flower Cut lawn 1/3 taller during hot summer Don t Bag It
Basic Principles Planning and Design Soil Analysis and Preparation Plant Selection Practical Turf Areas/Management Irrigation Efficiency Mulch Pest Control Rainwater Harvesting Rain Gardens Water Conserving Landscape
Planning and Design Red Oak Live Oak Redbud Crape Myrtle Texas Sage Carissa Holly Nandina Gulf Mulhy Salvia greggii Lantana Turk s cap Mealy Blue Sage Belinda s Dream Rose Knock Out Rose
Before After
Soil Preparation Compost Expanded Shale Mulch
Plant Selection Native and Adapted Plants
Native and Adapted Plants Thrive Use less water Less pest problems Source: Texas A&M University
Urban
Butterfly Bush
Zone Landscape by Water Requirements High water requiring area Medium Low
Appropriate Turf Areas 1/3 Turf 1/3 to 2/3 Plantings Beds 1/3 permeable Hardscape
Water usage increases 35 to 70% during the irrigation season Efficient Irrigation
Common Irrigation Issues Over watering Improper design and installation Improper scheduling practices No routine maintenance Runoff
Irrigation System Check Check every sprinkler head Misaligned Heads (throwing water into street or driveway) Heads Not Vertical Sunken Heads Clogged Nozzle Leaking/Broken Head, Valve, Pipe High Grass Make any repairs Run system with catchment cans Correct any poor distribution Time how long each station needs to run Set controller Tuna Can Screw Driver Aggie Catch Can
Common Irrigation Problems Sprinkler heads sprays water onto the sidewalk, driveway, or road Sprinkler head missing, not operating, with reduced water flow or poor distribution pattern Sprinkler heads broken, gushing water out the top or not popping up Sprinkler heads no longer straight up and down Sprinkler heads that cause a cloud of mist Grass, shrubbery or tree blocking distribution pattern Dry landscape areas - Possible causes: low system water pressure, a plugged nozzle or wind Irrigation heads installed too far apart or not in a recommended square or triangle pattern
Irrigation Valve Water In Water Out Main Line is always full of water unless isolation valve in use Lateral Line Water only in line when zone running
TYPICAL WATER WASTE DUE TO COMMON IRRIGATION SYSTEM PROBLEMS Source: Alliance for Water Efficiency, 2009
WATER WASTE DUE TO INEFFICIENT SYSTEMS Source: Alliance for Water Efficiency, 2009
#1 Clogged or Worn Out Nozzle
Misaligned Head
Misaligned Head
Head will not pop up
Head Not Vertical
Sunken Head
High Grass
Broken Nozzle or Head
Broken Head and Pipe
Leaky Valve
Leaky Valve
High Pressure
Low Pressure
Simple System Adjustments that Improve Efficiency Adjust the spray distance radius of throw Counter clockwise lengthens throw (loosens) Clockwise shortens throw (tightens) Adjustment screw
Simple System Adjustments that Improve Efficiency Replace nozzle with different pattern and throw
Increase efficiency of spray irrigation by replacing spray nozzle with multi-stream rotors New Technology
Adjusting Rotor Heads Insert Key into Rotor, turn 90 degrees and pull up while holding the base down
Adjusting Rotor Heads Insert Adjusting Key into hole above nozzle Turn Clockwise to deflect/reduce stream distance Turn counterclockwise to open/increase stream distance Be Sure to leave set screw in at least 1/8
Adjusting Rotor Heads To adjust the spray arc, turn head till it stops turning Insert key into the +/- slot on top of the head + increases the arc - decreases the arc Minimum arc 40 degrees
Set Controller Cycle and Soak Determine how long to run each zone Water these areas in 2 or 3 short cycles or 4 cycles if on a slope instead of 1 long cycle Wait 20 to 30 minutes between cycles
Irrigation Efficiency Water only when plants require water Visually only judge water requirements in the morning Water deeply to promote deep and healthy roots One inch of water will generally penetrate the soil to a depth of six inches (soak and cycle) Water slowly for better absorption. Use drip irrigation wherever possible Wind displaces and evaporates water Water after 6:00 pm and before 10:00 am to reduce wasteful evaporation Maintain a 2 to 4 inch mulch layer in planted areas Water newly planted flowers, shrubs and trees individually Water without creating runoff Check irrigation system monthly
How Often?
USDA Charts
New Irrigation Technologies Drip Irrigation Multi-stream nozzles
Weather Based Irrigation Controller
Smart Controllers Soil Moisture Sensor
Rain and Freeze Sensor
Use Drip Irrigation 90% efficient Shrubs areas Flower beds Vegetable Garden Groundcover areas Lawn
Drip Irrigation
Design and install for new or established landscape Convert existing irrigation system Drip Irrigation Installation Options
Convert Existing Irrigation System Loop tubing Create a perimeter loop for even pressure Add cross tubing to make a grid Drip convertor
Rotary trencher leaves a small mound of dirt that is easy to rack back into the trench after dripline installation
Increases water absorbing capacity Increases water holding capacity Reduces water evaporation Reduces erosion Helps control weeds Moderates soil temperature Break down into plant nutrients MULCH
Compost All Landscape Waste Don t Bag It
Aerate and Spread Compost on Compacted Soils in Lawn Areas to Increase Infiltration Rate
Zoysia Palisades
Pest Control Pest Control IPM Identification Least Toxic Pest Control Method
What is Rainwater Harvesting? Rainwater Harvesting is the capture, diversion, storage and distribution of rainwater for later use Why Rainwater Harvesting Save $$$$ Water bill Electric bill Reduces demand on municipal water supply Makes efficient use of a valuable resource Reduces flooding, erosion, and contamination of surface water Tarrant County Community Garden
Uses Irrigation Landscape Garden Pets Livestock Wildlife Firefighting
Solomon s Pools
Byzantine Water Cistern 6 th Century
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 2011
Los Angeles Aqueduct
Development Impacts on the Water Cycle 40% 30% 10% 50% 55% 15%
Development Impacts on Water Quality Increased Quantity Fertilizer Pesticides Sediments Pet Waste Livestock Waste Toxic Contaminants Debris Thermal Stress Decreased Quality Greater Speed
Stormwater goes untreated into the nearest water resource
Urban Water Budget Pavement and Rooftop Scenario ROOFTOP RUNOFF!! EVAPORATED WATER INFILTRATION?? SURFACE RUNOFF!! GROUNDWATER??
Urban Water Budget Rainwater Harvesting Scenario ROOFTOP RUNOFF!! Cistern Rain Garden
Rainwater Harvesting Requirements Consist of: Catchment Foot print of roof Conveyance Gutters and Downspouts Storage Tank Treatment Filtration Distribution Drip Irrigation
Why Collect Rainwater.6 gallons per square foot roof per 1 rainfall 2,000 sq. foot roof X 1" rain = 1,200 gal. water 1,200 gal. X 32" rainfall per year= 38,400 gal/yr
Rule of Thumb: 1 square inch of downspout per 100 square feet of roof top 2 inch by 3 inch downspout = 600 square feet of roof top 600 X 0.623 = 374 gallons 3 inch by 4 inch downspout = 1,200 square feet of roof top 1,200 X 0.623 = 720
Rainwater Harvesting System Cost Large or Small Landscapes: Homes Parks Schools Commercial Sites Parking Lots Apartment Complexes Cabins Barns Greenhouses
The amount of water required by plants is determined by Plant Water Requirements Evapotranspiration Irrigated area square feet Number of Plants Growth stage of Plants Time of Year Native and Adapted Plants Require Less Water Demand: Plant Water Requirements Austin, TX
Catchment Supply Footprint of the building
Underground Storage
Large Above Ground Cistern
Metal Tanks
Rainwater Harvesting System Storage
Calming Inlet Keep Sediment Layer From Being Disturbed Overflow Siphon Creates Vacuum Skims Floating Debris Floating Intake/Extractor Acts As Intake/Suction For Pump Only Takes The Cleanest Water From The Tank Components
Rainwater Harvesting System Filter
Graf Quattro Twist Downspout Filter and Diverter
Fall Through Filters
Complex Rainwater Harvesting System Storage
Filters for Rain Barrels
For Drought Periods Solenoid Valves 3 Way Valves Backflow Preventer/PRV Float Switches Digital Controllers Direct Back-up Tank Back-up Back-Up Source
System Sizing Info Needed Supply Side Location Collection Surface (SqFt) Demand Side Demand (GPM) Pressure (PSI) Water Usage Additional Factors Back-Up? Duration w/o Back-up LEED requirements Budget
Rainwater Harvesting System Filter First Flush Diverter
First Flush Diverters
Potential Contamination Dust/soil Plant Materials Animal Waste Roof Gutter and downspouts
Wildlife Cistern
Design and Build a Complex Rainwater Harvesting System Calculate Supply SUPPLY (gal) = Rainfall (in) x 0.623 x Catchment Area (sq ft) x Runoff Coefficient Multiply rainfall in inches by 0.623 to convert inches to gallons per square foot. Multiply the result by the area of the catchment in square feet. Multiply this result by the runoff coefficient to obtain the available supply. The runoff coefficient is the percentage of total rainfall that can be harvested from a particular source.
Calculates the catchment area. The eave-to-eave measurements for section A are 45 x 25 section B are 20 x 25 : Calculating Supply 1,625 sq ft of catchment area. Rainfall (in) x 0.623 x Catchment Area (sq ft) x Runoff Coefficient = SUPPLY (gal)
Calculating Supply Average Monthly Rainfall (Inches) for Texas Cities* Cities Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Austin 2.21 2.02 2.36 2.63 5.12 3.42 2.03 2.51 2.88 3.99 3.02 2.53 34.72 Dallas/FW 1.90 2.37 3.06 3.20 5.15 3.23 2.12 2.03 2.42 4.11 2.57 2.57 34.73 El Paso 0.45 0.39 0.26 0.23 0.38 0.87 1.49 1.75 1.61 0.81 0.42 0.77 9.43 Houston 3.68 2.98 3.36 3.60 5.15 5.35 3.18 3.83 4.33 4.50 4.19 3.69 47.84 Runoff Coefficients** Character of Surface High Low Roof Metal, gravel, asphalt shingle 0.95 0.75 Paving Concrete, asphalt 0.95 0.70 Brick 0.85 0.70 *Office of the State Climatologist <http://climate.tamu.edu> **Haan, C.T. et al. Design Hydrology and Sedimentology for Small Catchments, 1994.
Calculating Supply Follow the lettered instructions for each month. Enter the rainfall amount in inches for each month. Rainfall Harvesting Supply Worksheet A B C D E F Multiply A by 0.623 to convert inches to gallons per square foot. Enter the square footage of the catchment surface. Multiply B by C to yield the gross gallons of rainfall per month. Enter the runoff coefficient for your catchment surface. Multiply D by E to obtain the total monthly yield of harvested water in gallons. January 1.66 1.03 1625 1681 0.9 1512 February 1.75 1.09 1625 1772 0.9 1594 March 1.89 1.18 1625 1913 0.9 1722 April 2.60 1.62 1625 2632 0.9 2369 May 4.72 2.94 1625 4778 0.9 4301 June 4.30 2.68 1625 4353 0.9 3918 July 2.03 1.26 1625 2055 0.9 1850 August 2.57 1.60 1625 2602 0.9 2342 September 3.00 1.87 1625 3037 0.9 2733 October 3.86 2.40 1625 3908 0.9 3517 November 2.58 1.61 1625 2612 0.9 2351 December 1.96 1.21 1625 1984 0.9 1786 Annual 32.92 33,327 29,995
Calculate Demand Demand (gal) = ET (in) x Plant Coefficient x 0.623 x Irrigated Area (sq ft) Determine the monthly reference evapotranspiration (ET) in inches for your area. Multiply ET by the Plant Water Use Coefficient, representing the percentage of reference ET a particular plant needs. Multiply the result by 0.623 to convert inches to gallons per square foot. Multiply this result by the size of the irrigated area in square feet Find the monthly reference evapotranspiration (ET) in inches for your area at Texaset.tamu.edu
Evapotranspiration (ET) Evapotranspiration is the combined loss of water from the soil and wet surfaces due to evaporation and plants due to transpiration ET is an estimate of potential planted-area water demand in inches
Calculating Demand Average Monthly Evapotranspiration (Inches) for Texas Cities* Cities Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Austin 2.00 2.66 4.30 5.27 7.55 8.28 8.12 8.20 6.22 4.93 3.08 2.08 62.69 Dallas/FW 1.80 2.45 4.09 5.15 7.41 8.42 8.76 8.13 6.13 4.49 2.62 1.72 61.17 El Paso 1.30 1.70 4.20 5.60 8.88 9.91 9.24 8.32 7.60 5.20 3.00 1.10 66.05 Houston 2.02 2.71 4.03 5.23 7.48 8.08 7.79 7.78 6.06 4.90 3.06 2.12 61.26 San Antonio 2.07 2.77 4.40 5.33 7.58 8.21 7.96 8.03 6.19 4.95 3.14 2.15 62.78 Plant Water Use Coefficients Plant Type Coefficient Low-Water-Use (Blue Grama, Desert Willow) 0.20 Medium-Water-Use (Buffalograss, Bermudagrass) 0.50 High-Water-Use (St. Augustine, Fescue) 0.75 *Office of the State Climatologist <http://climate.tamu.edu>
Calculating Demand Follow the lettered instructions for each month. Rainfall Harvesting Demand Worksheet A B C D E F Enter the ET amount in inches for each month. Enter the appropriate plant water use coefficient. Multiply A by B to obtain plant water needs in inches. Multiply C by 0.623 to convert inches to gallons per square foot. Enter the total square footage of landscaping. Multiply E by D to obtain total landscaping water demand in gallons. January 2.07 0.75 1.55 0.97 1200 1161 February 2.77 0.75 2.08 1.29 1200 1553 March 4.40 0.75 3.30 2.06 1200 2467 April 5.33 0.75 4.00 2.49 1200 2989 May 7.58 0.75 5.69 3.54 1200 4250 June 8.21 0.75 6.16 3.84 1200 4603 July 7.96 0.75 5.97 3.72 1200 4463 August 8.03 0.75 6.02 3.75 1200 4502 September 6.19 0.75 4.64 2.89 1200 3471 October 4.95 0.75 3.71 2.31 1200 2775 November 3.14 0.75 2.36 1.47 1200 1761 December 2.15 0.75 1.61 1.00 1200 1206 Annual 62.78 47.09 35,201
Storage Calculate Maximum Storage/Supplemental Water Requirements Use checkbook method to balance harvested supply and demand per month. Determine cumulative storage by adding the previous month s cumulative storage to the current month s balance. Determine storage container requirements by noting the highest cumulative storage value. When the cumulative storage goes to zero, supplemental water will be needed.
Supply/Demand Balance Worksheet Storage/Supplemental Municipal Use Worksheet Month Yield Demand Cumulative Storage (Yield Demand) Supplemental Use YEAR 1 January 1,512 1,161 351 0 February 1,594 1,553 392 0 March 1,722 2,467 0 353 April 2,369 2,989 0 620 May 4,301 4,250 51 0 June 3,918 4,603 0 634 July 1,850 4,463 0 2,613 August 2,342 4,502 0 2,160 September 2,733 3,471 0 738 October 3,517 2,775 742 0 November 2,351 1,761 1,332 0 December 1,786 1,206 1,912 0
Re-Calculating Demand Using Low Water Requirement Landscape Plants Follow the lettered instructions for each month. Rainfall Harvesting Demand Worksheet A B C D E F Enter the ET amount in inches for each month. Enter the appropriate plant water use coefficient. Multiply A by B to obtain plant water needs in inches. Multiply C by 0.623 to convert inches to gallons per square foot. Enter the total square footage of landscaping. Multiply E by D to obtain total landscaping water demand in gallons. January 2.07 0.2 0.41 0.25 1200 300 February 2.77 0.2 0.55 0.34 1200 414 March 4.40 0.2 0.88 0.55 1200 657 April 5.33 0.2 1.1 0.66 1200 797 May 7.58 0.2 1.57 0.98 1200 1173 June 8.21 0.2 1.64 1.02 1200 1227 July 7.96 0.2 1.51 0.94 1200 1133 August 8.03 0.2 1.60 1.00 1200 1200 September 6.19 0.2 1.23 0.77 1200 925 October 4.95 0.2 0.99 0.62 1200 747 November 3.14 0.2 0.63 0.39 1200 468 December 2.15 0.2 0.43 o.27 1200 321 Annual 62.78 9776
Maintenance Keep Gutter and Downspout Clean Clean Filters Check for Leaks Check Pump Protect Pump from Weather
SB 198-2013 Texas Legislature Prevents homeowner associations from implementing new covenants banning outdoor water-conserving measures Composting Water efficient landscapes Drip irrigation Rainwater harvesting installations HOAs can require screening or shielding to obscure view of tanks
Texas Property Code 202.007 CERTAIN RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS PROHIBITED. (a) A property owners' association may not include or enforce a provision in a dedicatory instrument that prohibits or restricts a property owner from: (1) implementing measures promoting solid-waste composting of vegetation, including grass clippings, leaves, or brush, or leaving grass clippings uncollected on grass; (2) installing rain barrels or a rainwater harvesting system; or (3) implementing efficient irrigation systems, including underground drip or other drip systems. (b) A provision that violates Subsection (a) is void. (c) A property owners' association may restrict the type of turf used by a property owner in the planting of new turf to encourage or require water-conserving turf. http://law.onecle.com/texas/property/202.007.00.html
Rainwater Salt free water Sales Tax Exempt Reduce water bill Save electric bill Reduce demand on water treatment plant Reduce Stormwater Contamination Reduce Erosion Incentives
Rain Garden Rain Garden Catchment Distribution System Landscape Holding Area Catchment Any hard surface where water runs off (e.g. roofs, pavement, or soil surface) Amount depends on Catchment Size, Surface Texture, Slope and Rainfall
Rain Garden
Rain Garden
Web Site Information www.rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu www.arcsa.org www.texrca.org
For More Information Dotty Woodson Extension Program Specialist- Water Resources Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 17360 Coit Road Dallas, Texas 75252 972-952-9688 D-woodson@tamu.edu