Water conservation is very important in the State of Florida and in the Town of Orchid, which annually participates in Water Conservation Month in April. Particularly when it comes to appropriate irrigation as a means of water conservation, the Indian River Lagoon’s health is directly connected.
Runoff is a major contributing factor to harmful algal blooms, after all. Indeed, responsible and considered use of irrigation for managed landscapes is paramount to promoting a healthy environment, including specifically in our local lakes and other nearby waterways to which water runoff from excess irrigation flows.
Efficient irrigation design, programming, and maintenance can conserve water, and local residents are encouraged to regularly evaluate their irrigation systems for potential efficiency enhancements.
The Orchid Island Golf & Beach Community Association asks that you adhere to their irrigation schedule, which has been designed to balance the needs of each yard, the golf course, its lakes, and of course the lagoon. To make sure your irrigation system isn’t just working timely, but also efficiently, consider a regular Irrigation System Evaluation.
Over time, irrigation systems can become less efficient or out-of-date with modern technology. Having your irrigation system checked every so often can help find areas due for upgrade or replacement.
A misdirected or broken sprinkler head is easy to spot, but other issues may not be as apparent. Leaky irrigation doesn’t just waste precious water resources, but can be harmful to the health of your landscaping and surrounding waterways too. And running the sprinklers when it’s already raining is a real no-no, so regularly checking your rain sensor is a yes-yes!
Apart from evaluating the efficacy of your system, also consider its design. For instance, you may consider the addition of a couple of rain barrels to help with your yards’ water needs. Rain barrels collect rain water from the roof and allow it to be applied manually to those areas that need it most – potted plants are a great beneficiary, for instance!