City offers free checks of water sprinklers

Summer temperatures are here, which means drier weather and heavier watering to keep yards green. But is your sprinkler system using more water than what your lawn needs?

The city of Pflugerville public works staff is offering complimentary sprinkler evaluations to city water customers to ensure water is not wasted and that their watering systems are working efficiently.

“It’s really about finding ways to educate our citizens, teaching them the current restrictions and how to save water,” said Patricia Rinehart, public works administrator and water conservation educator.

To participate, residents need to be at home for a city staffer to inspect watering zones and have access to a controller unit. Evaluations can take as much as two hours to complete, depending on what issues might be discovered.

Rinehart said in most cases residents do not have their watering settings based on city water restrictions.

“We set the program based on current restrictions in effect for outdoor watering according to their address, whether it’s odd or even numbers, as to what days they’re allowed to water,” she said.

“Some are not familiar when they move into their house, so we assist them and show them how to work it and set it to where it needs to be,” Rinehart said.

Residential homes with addresses ending in an odd number can water Wednesdays and Saturdays, and addresses ending in an even number can water on Thursdays and Sundays.

Rinehart said city inspectors check for any issues with watering systems, including sprinkler leaks.

“Any problems, we flag it and discuss with the homeowners, so they can repair it,” she said. “We don’t offer repairs, but we help them know what’s going on.”

To efficiently water lawns, city staff advise only moistening plant roots and watering when the sun is down. Allow soil to dry before watering again, use low-angle sprinklers to reduce water waste through evaporation and direct sprinklers away from sidewalks and driveways.

The complimentary inspections are part of the city’s conservation program, which also includes rebate programs for landscaping and water softener replacements.

For more information and to schedule a sprinkler evaluation, contact Rinehart at 512-990-6400.