For a brief introduction into landscape irrigation and water management, watch the following several minute video. For the complete video files in pdf format, click here for our store.
Landscape irrigation is the art and management of applying water to the landscape in a manner to encourage the growth of plant material and support water conservation . Creating and maintaining an eye-stunning landscape actually starts with, and is dependent on, a well-designed and installed irrigation system that conforms to the individual landscape. Consequently, an irrigation system can have an enormous impact on real estate and property values thereof. Furthermore, a professionally designed and installed irrigation system can save money, time and water!
What is the future direction of irrigation? Water conservation continues to be the issue of top priority. The world’s water sources are being depleted. As the population of the world continues to grow, there are larger demands on the fixed amount of water available. This situation is further complicated by a major increase in per capita water use dictated by improved lifestyles. Examples of the scarcity of water can visibly be seen in some of our lakes, such as Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico (below left), and Lake Mead, the largest manmade lake and reservoir in the United States.
What is the future direction of irrigation? Water conservation continues to be the issue of top priority. The world’s water sources are being depleted. As the population of the world continues to grow, there are larger demands on the fixed amount of water available. This situation is further complicated by a major increase in per capita water use dictated by improved lifestyles. Examples of the scarcity of water can visibly be seen in some of our lakes, such as Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico (below left), and Lake Mead, the largest manmade lake and reservoir in the United States.
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Some possible solutions for the scarcity in water include:
Efficient landscape irrigation designs and installation, is a very practical solution that can be put into operation now, resulting in considerable water savings. This option focuses more on manufacturers, professional irrigation contractors, homeowners, and the proper irrigation education.
Landscape irrigators have a professional responsibility to be educated in, promote, support and practice water conservation in the landscape irrigation industry in order to preserve one of our most precious resources on earth, WATER!
For more information on water conservation, refer to the “Texas Landscape Irrigation Training and Reference Manual”.
- Using reclaimed, or recycled, water (the domestic or municipal wastewater which has been treated to a quality suitable for beneficial use, such as landscape irrigation).
- Building desalination (the process that removes the salt and other minerals from the sea water or brackish groundwater to obtain fresh water for irrigation use and/or human consumption) plants.
- Utilities implementing tiered water pricing to encourage more reasonable usage with less waste.
- Improving old and outdated water distribution systems with newer piping to reduce water loss.
- Imposing water restrictions.
- Xeriscaping™ (an alternative landscaping method using a combination of seven basic landscaping principles that promote water conservation).
- Designing and installing efficient landscape irrigation systems.
Efficient landscape irrigation designs and installation, is a very practical solution that can be put into operation now, resulting in considerable water savings. This option focuses more on manufacturers, professional irrigation contractors, homeowners, and the proper irrigation education.
Landscape irrigators have a professional responsibility to be educated in, promote, support and practice water conservation in the landscape irrigation industry in order to preserve one of our most precious resources on earth, WATER!
For more information on water conservation, refer to the “Texas Landscape Irrigation Training and Reference Manual”.