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The approach of summer means that many of us will have to step in and give nature a boost to keep ornamental grasses green and gardens growing. Water use skyrockets during the summer due to increased irrigation needs. The experts at Pump Products have compiled this best practices list to help you optimize your water resources, save money and mitigate conflicts between residential and municipal water demands in the months ahead.

The Jet Pump Alternative

If you have access to a pond or river, use a jet pump to water your lawn instead of drawing on city water. That’s right, a jet pump can be used to pull water out of a lake or river to supply a sprinkler system. Once you ascertain the viability of your water supply, choose a pump that will put out the amount of water your sprinkler system requires. Choose a deep well jet pump if you need to move water long distances, as from a pond across a field to your garden.  Choose a shallow well jet pump if you need to pull water from a depth less than 25 feet. If your sprinkler requires more than the jet pump can supply, you can split your system into zones and choose a jet pump that matches the requirements of one zone. Pump Products carries jet pump models by Berkeley, Grundfos, Sta-Rite, Little Giant and other leading manufacturers to suit a variety of landscapes.

Fix Leaks 

U.S. homes lose an estimated one in six gallons of fresh water daily due to leaks. Checking your home hydronic systems for leaks is a simple way to save water and up to 10 percent on water bills. A good place to start is to check your winter water usage. If your winter water use exceeded 12,000 gallons per month, there’s a good chance you have a leak somewhere. Next, check your water meter before and after a two-hour latent period. If your reading changes, you probably have a leak. Before turning your sprinkler system on for the season, make sure it was not damaged by frost or freezing. A leak the width of a dime can waste 6,300 gallons of water per month. Examine your garden hose for the same reason, and check for leaks at it’s connection to the spigot.

Water Wise, Dollar Smart

Water your lawn during the coolest part of the day to minimize evaporation. Avoid over-watering and don’t run sprinklers unnecessarily. Infrequent, thorough watering encourages deeper root growth and results in heartier plants. Adjust your irrigation schedule on a monthly basis to reflect seasonal changes in temperature, wind, humidity, and rain. Fine-tune your irrigation system to provide only as much water as is needed for each grouping of plants. If you have an automated irrigation system, look into installing a smart controller. 

For more information on our sprinkler and irrigation pumps and repair parts, visit Pump Products at http://www.pumpproducts.com or call 1-800-429-0800.