Budgeting for Water Conservation

An unusually warm start to October has us continuing to irrigate at a time when we would normally be preparing to shut down systems for the year. If you’ve reviewed your summer water bills, you know how costly keeping a landscape healthy can be.

Water rates vary widely across Oregon and Washington, but rising costs make conservation an increasingly important part of landscape management. Meaningful savings often require improvements to both irrigation systems and the landscapes they serve—from more efficient watering to plant selections that need less water.

Over the past decade, we have invested in the expertise and tools to make water conservation a core part of our service. Our work has earned recognition and opportunities to present nationally on the subject. We bring that experience to your property, identifying practical ways to reduce water use while maintaining a healthy, attractive landscape.

•   Lawn and Landscape Magazine July 2023
•  Landscape Management Magazine November 2022 
• National Association of Landscape Professionals January 2022     
•  Weathermatic Partner Interview  

Water Conservation Projects

Your 2026 budget includes our recommended water conservation projects, outlined below, to help reduce water use and manage irrigation costs.

SmartLink Remote Access Controller Subscription

Since 2024, remote irrigation control has been part of our standard service. We have installed Weathermatic SmartLink controllers at most properties, with a modest subscription fee from Weathermatic. These controllers allow our team to program and operate your irrigation system remotely—from the office or using tablets and phones in the field. This helps us make timely watering adjustments and service your system more efficiently, supporting water conservation and cost savings.

Weather Based Irrigation

The next step beyond remote access is full weather-based irrigation control, which adjusts watering schedules as weather conditions change. Based on our experience with water conservation tools over the past decade, these systems can reduce water use by 20–30% compared with traditional, manually programmed systems. As water rates rise, those savings make this upgrade worth considering.

Previously, converting to weather-based control required an upfront capital investment. Weathermatic now offers a subscription-based model that provides another way to make the transition.

SmartLink Wireless Landscape Network Weather Base Irrigation Control 

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 Conversions

Sometimes the best water conservation solution is converting lawn to a landscape better suited to the space. Turf remains an important part of many properties, but narrow parking strips and parking islands can be difficult to maintain and irrigate. Limited soil, heat from surrounding pavement, and competition from tree roots make healthy lawn especially challenging in these areas.

Replacing turf with drought-tolerant shrubs, groundcovers, or decorative rock can reduce irrigation needs while creating a more attractive, easier-to-maintain landscape. The right design depends on the site, existing trees, and how the space is used.

Water Conservation Resources:

https://www.pacscape.com/sustainability/water-conservation/

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