If you’ve been wrestling with dry patches, sky-high water bills, or sprinklers that seem to run at all the wrong times, you’re not alone. Traditional irrigation systems are often outdated, inefficient, and wasteful, especially during New England’s unpredictable summers. But there’s good news: today’s smart irrigation technology makes it easier than ever to keep your lawn and garden thriving while reducing water waste, protecting local ecosystems, and even saving money. Whether you’re looking to upgrade an older system or install one for the first time, there’s never been a better time to make the switch.
Check out the benefits to upgrading your irrigation system below:
Smart Irrigation Systems – Reducing Water Waste and Protecting Local Ecosystems
We’ve all seen it: sprinklers running full blast in the rain, flushing water (and money) down the drain, not to mention washing fertilizers into our local streams. Fortunately, modern smart irrigation systems are making that kind of waste a thing of the past. Equipped with sensors, soil monitors, and drip lines, these systems keep lawns and gardens healthy while significantly reducing unnecessary water use. Using real-time weather data to adjust watering schedules, they can save the average homeowner thousands of gallons per year. In short, smarter sprinklers = less waste, lower water bills, greener gardens, and more clean water left in our rivers and wells for people (and wildlife) downstream. It’s a win-win!
Soil Monitoring
In addition to monitoring the weather, smart irrigation uses soil moisture sensors to measure how wet the ground already is, so sprinklers only turn on when soil is actually dry. This avoids the guesswork of setting a fixed schedule and keeps plants from either craving water or drowning in it. Using these methods together, smart systems often cut outdoor water use by 20–50% compared to conventional timers.
Drip Irrigation
For flower beds, vegetable gardens, and shrubs, drip irrigation makes watering extremely efficient. Instead of spraying water all over the place, drip systems snake narrow tubes at ground level and let water slowly seep out at the base of each plant. This way almost all the water goes straight into the soil around the roots, not the leaves as with traditional watering, with very little lost to evaporation or overspray. In hot summer sun, standard sprinklers can lose half their water before it even hits the plants, but a drip line puts water precisely where it’s needed. Ideal for thirsty areas, a well-designed drip irrigation system can cut water usage by more than 50%.
Besides conserving water, drip irrigation reduces fertilizer and energy use. Water-soluble fertilizer can be injected into the drip line, so nutrients go straight to the plant’s roots, instead of washing away as runoff. Low-pressure drip pumps use much less electricity than high-pressure sprinklers too, shrinking your utility bills even further.
Ecosystem Benefits
Summer in New England often means water shortages due to drought and overuse. The water saved by using smart irrigation is a big win for the environment around our homes, leaving more clean water in our rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Overwatering also sends fertilizers and pesticides into local waterways, fueling algal blooms that harm fish and frogs. Targeted, sensor-controlled irrigation keeps chemicals and pollutants out of neighboring ecosystems.
Plus, using less water at home puts less strain on municipal supplies and pumps. Less pumping and treatment means fewer carbon emissions from energy use. A typical home sprinkler applies thousands of gallons of water each cycle, but a smart rain-sensing irrigation system keeps all that water out of storm drains. Considering how many rainy days we’ve had in New England this spring, that’s a significant savings! And in our communities, that translates to cleaner rivers for trout, healthier wetlands for migratory birds, and more reliable water levels in wells and town supplies.
The Seacoast’s salty air and unpredictable rainfall create less than ideal growing conditions for your lawn and garden, and the Lakes Region has its own challenges, with steep slopes that require constant hydration. Our sophisticated controllers download weather data from the Cloud and can even prevent sprinklers from turning on if wind speed is too high, preventing water from blowing away from the targeted zone. In addition, you can adjust your system using your phone’s wi-fi when you’re away from home.
Piscataqua Landscaping is a WaterSense Certified Irrigation Contractor, trained in the design, installation, and maintenance of smart irrigation systems that ensure your watering schedule is optimal. We’ll assess your property and create a custom irrigation solution that conserves both water and money. And we’ll winterize your sprinkler system before the first freeze to increase the longevity of your investment.
With droughts and hot summers becoming more common, smart irrigation is not just a nice-to-have–it’s a smart investment in sustainability. Whether you’re a homeowner or commercial customer looking for a simple one-zone or larger multi-zone irrigation system, Piscataqua Landscaping offers a wide range of systems and service plans that will keep your landscape properly hydrated and beautiful for years to come.
Learn more about how we can help with your irrigation system and water conservation efforts.
