Simple Sprinkler Performance Testing for

Did you know that the majority of the water used by Utah homeowners is applied to ornamental landscapes as irrigation (Utah Division of Water Resources, 2003)? Our arid climate and low annual precipitation (10 inches of annual rainfall in Moab) make supplemental irrigation an essential requirement for many landscape plants. Since landscape irrigation is the single largest residential use of water, efficiently using that water is a very effective way of conserving precious water resources. Irrigating your landscape efficiently means you are doing your part to conserve water for the future, helping to delay costly water development projects, and being a good steward of Utah’s natural resources. Choosing appropriate plants, grouping them according to water needs, and maintaining them appropriately will help you to irrigate them effectively. However, three simple steps—focused on your irrigation system—will help you to be even more efficient. 1. A site inspection, 2. A sprinkler performance test, and 3. An appropriate irrigation schedule