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A Homeowners Guide to Water-Efficient Landscapes A Homeowners Guide to
Water-Efficient Landscapes
IUW_cov110905 5/19/06 12:18 PM Page 1 Since Rain Birds beginnings in 1933, we have focused on developing products
and technologies that use water in the most efficient manner possible. At Rain Bird,
we feel it is our responsibility to take the lead on water conservation by promoting
it through not only efficient irrigation management, but also through education,
training and services for our industry and our communities. We call this
The Intelligent Use of Water .
We participate in a variety of initiatives aimed at educating the public on water
conservation. Weve developed environmental education curriculums in conjunc-
tion with California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, aimed at helping
teachers and students better understand the vital role water plays in various types
of ecosystems. Through our annual participation in the Tournament of Roses
®
Parade, we have used our floats to draw attention to animal species and natural
habitats that have been adversely impacted by water shortages. And we authored
the white paper Irrigation for a Growing World, which discusses both causes and
potential solutions to the growing global water crisis.
A Homeowners Guide to Water-Efficient Landscapes continues our discussion
of the important issues raised in our first white paper with a focus on the role
homeowners can play in conserving this most precious resource through
efficient irrigation.
The need to conserve water has never been greater. We want to do even more,
and together we can.
Anthony La Fetra
President
Rain Bird Corporation
970 West Sierra Madre Avenue Azusa, CA 91702 USA (626) 812-3400 Fax (626) 812-3411
www.rainbird.com
® Registered Trademark of Rain Bird Corporation
© 2006 Rain Bird Corporation
RainBirdWhtPap_051206 5/19/06 12:24 PM Page 1 Table of Contents
Introduction
1
Overview: The Worlds Water Crisis
Residential Water Conservation: Part of the Solution
Chapter One: Water-Conserving Landscapes
3
A Brief History
Benefits of a Water-Conserving Landscape
Landscape Analysis
Landscape Planning
Xeriscape Landscaping
Water Pressure
Chapter Two: Efficient Watering Systems
7
Automatic Irrigation Systems
Controllers
Valves
Rotors
Spray Heads
Drip Irrigation
Chapter Three: Advances in Water Savings
12
A Trend Toward Greater Water Savings
Measurement Tools
Graywater Re-use and Rainwater Harvesting
Chapter Four: Maintenance and Additional Resources
15
Management
Maintenance Tasks
Landscape Contractors and Gardeners
Local Retailers
Local Water Agencies
Online Sources and End Notes
17
512078_NPGS_R 5/12/06 4:22 PM Page 3 1
Overview: The Worlds Water Crisis
Introduction
OVERVIEW: THE WORLDS WATER CRISIS
At first glance, water seems to be the most abundant resource on Earth. The reality,
though, is that 99% of all water is tied up in the form of saltwater, snow and icebergs,
leaving a mere 1% available for use by humans.
1
And, while the supply is fixed, the
demand for fresh water is exploding as the rapidly growing global population taps into
the Earths supply at exponentially increasing consumption rates.
The problem is not limited to developing countries either. Even in the less densely
populated United States, pressures are mounting, in part due to demand generated by
the U.S. lifestyle.
Since 1900, the United States population has doubled, but per capita water use has
increased eightfold, as technology and lifestyle improvements have led to the doubling
of water consumption every 20 years.
2
Today, Americans use an average of 101 gallons
(382 liters) of water per day, far exceeding the estimated
20.5 gallons (78 liters) per day minimum necessary to
maintain life, hygiene and food production.
3
As outlined in Rain Birds Irrigation For A Growing World
white paper, options such as desalination, water re-
pricing, water recycling and infrastructure and water
delivery system improvements require mobilization of
governments and international organizations. In many
cases, these technologies are not yet fully developed for
effective use today. Conservation through water-
efficient irrigation, however, is a practical and cost-
effective solution that can be implemented today to help
address this growing global crisis.
RESIDENTIAL WATER CONSERVATION:
PART OF THE SOLUTION
In the beginning, residential water-saving
initiatives focused on water-saving
practices inside the home, such as toilet
redesign in the 1960s, when studies
revealed that toilets consumed up to 50% of
household water budgets.
4
A decade later,
nationwide urban sprawl and resulting
water shortages prompted further indoor
water conservation measures and massive
education campaigns by public utilities.
5
The Worlds Population
Per Capita Water Usage/Day
Location
Water (gallons/liters)
Las Vegas, NV, USA
307 g/1162 l
United States - Average
101/382
Bangkok, Thailand
55/208
United Kingdom All Urban Users
40/151
Cairo, Egypt
35/132
Estimated Minimum Needed
20.5/77
Source: Population Reference Bureau (PRB), available at
www.prb.org
Source: Vickers, Handbook of Water Use and Conservation,
WaterPlow Press, June 2002.
512078_NPGS_R 5/12/06 4:22 PM Page 1 2
The Intelligent Use of Water It was not until more recently that the public took notice of the need to conserve water
outdoors and water agencies implemented outdoor water-saving awareness
campaigns. Even now, most homeowners are more familiar with best practices for
reducing water use inside the home using low-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads
and water-saving washing machines and dishwashers than they are with outdoor
water efficiency.
Considering that landscape needs may account for 20% to 50%
6
of the 95,000 gallons
7
(359,614 liters) of water consumed by the average U.S. household yearly, conserving
water used on landscape is an important part of the overall solution to the water
scarcity problem.
That said, todays homeowner often struggles to achieve the delicate balance between
conserving water and enjoying the many benefits that a beautiful landscape provides.
For most, a water-efficient landscape conjures up images of yards filled with rocks, sand
and cacti, or even concrete. While this minimalist view of landscaping is undoubtedly
the epitome of water-efficient landscaping, it is just not a practical option for most
homeowners due to climate or personal preferences.
Irrigation for A Growing World: A Homeowners Guide to Water-efficient Landscapes provides
homeowners with practical information on how to conserve water through the use of
water-efficient irrigation. By addressing every aspect of water-efficient landscapes
from the best times and amounts to water, to the use of efficient irrigation equipment
it becomes clear that water-efficient irrigation methods have the potential to
significantly decrease the amount of water used in landscape applications without
sacrificing any of the benefits.
512078_NPGS_R 5/12/06 4:22 PM Page 2 3
Chapter One: Water-Conserving Landscapes
Chapter One: Water-Conserving Landscapes
A BRIEF HISTORY
The earliest forms of irrigation, such as
those used for centuries in Egypts Nile
River Basin, simply followed river cycles.
Farmers planted crops and waited for
river flooding. They dug channels and
used gravity to transport river water to
where it was needed most. Soil was
saturated, allowed to dry out until plants
nearly wilted, and then soaked again.
In 1933, Orton Englehart, a Southern
California citrus grower, invented the
impact sprinkler and in doing so ushered
in a new era in irrigation worldwide. His
novel watering device, described as a
spring-activated, horizontal, impact arm-driven sprinkler, was durable and distri-
buted water farther, more evenly and more efficiently than existing sprinklers of that
time. Clem and Mary La Fetra, neighbors of the inventor, recognized the potential of
Englehart's device and began marketing it. Subsequently, the La Fetras set up a
manufacturing facility in the family barn, which evolved into todays Rain Bird
Corporation.
8
Seven decades later, the function of modern day sprinklers remains more or less the
same, but their operation and efficiency has changed dramatically. Advances in
technology and engineering have led to the development of irrigation devices that
deliver water in a more precise and uniform manner, in any space, regardless of shape.
They range from low-volume drip and microspray irrigation to small pop-up spray
head sprinklers used in a typical backyard and garden to rotating sprinklers for large
commercial applications.
Perhaps the most significant advance in residen