As of this past week’s fall rain, it appears that the irrigation season is over. And it has been a long dry one. Year to date, Seattle has received only 58% of normal precipitation. In the past 6 months of the irrigation season, April - September, the Seattle metro area has received only 6.7” or 63% of normal. That has led to greater irrigation need than average and unfortunately your water bills have been higher than normal. That combined with ever increasing water rates at most districts, we are sure it has affected your budget.
Budget Water Conservation Projects
Through our investment and focus over the past decade, we believe we provide the most comprehensive Water Conservation services. We have received accolades and have presented on the subject nationally. Your 2026 budget includes our recommendations for water conservation projects and those are outlined below.
Weather Based Irrigation
We have found that through our experience with water conservation tools over the past decade weather-based irrigation control saves 20-30% from traditional manually programmed systems. Previously, converting to weather-based irrigation required capital cost. Weathermatic developed a subscription-based model for their control system. This eliminates the capital cost providing ROI immediately. Making it a no-brainer with water rates rising so rapidly.
Pressure Regulated Sprinklers
WATER SAVINGS: Compared with non-regulated, pressure regulated sprinklers will use about 20-25 percent less water. And if the nozzle breaks, pressure regulators are estimated to save 70 percent of the water that might have been spilled if using an older sprinkler system.
Lawn Conversion
Sometimes the best water conservation solution is lawn conversion. Lawn is a significant and important part of most landscapes, but has been used historically in places where it is difficult to maintain and even more difficult to irrigate. Parking islands and parking strips have small soil profiles surrounded by concrete and asphalt, and have to compete with the tree roots restricted by the location. Changing out from lawn to rock or shrubs or ground cover will save tremendous amounts of waters and beautify the location.
Water Conservation Resources: