Advanced Water Use Efficient Tips

Keep your irrigation in tune with your plant’s needs!

Watering Index?

Water Budget?

Percentage Adjustment?

They are all the same and they are easy to use.
For simplicity's sake, we are going to call all of these the Watering Index.

What does it do?

The Watering Index is an easy, simple and free method of matching your irrigation timer to your plants actual water demand.

 

How does it work?

Through out California there are weather stations that measure the water demand of the plants for the actual conditions of the day. These weather stations are called CIMIS Stations. CIMIS stands for California Irrigation Management Information System and farmers use these stations to know when and how much to water their crops. The Castaic Lake Water Agency has just installed a CIMIS Station in the Santa Clarita Area.

 

So what do I do?

Your irrigation system needs to be in good working order. That means your system has no leaks, no mismatched parts, and is watering the intended plants. Keep your irrigation in tune with your plant’s needs!

 

HOW TO SET UP YOUR WATERING INDEX

First. Check to make sure your plants are healthy and your irrigation timer is watering like it should be. The web site www.bewaterwise.com has information for helping you calculate the right amount of water for your garden. If you are satisfied that your schedule is correct, then go to the second step.

Second. Make sure that the schedule in your irrigation timer is set for the summer. Even if it is winter when you are doing this, you need to put in the summer schedule. Why? Because the index is a portion based on the summer schedule! That is what makes this work.

Third. Select the Watering Index function so it displays the current index or percentage. It should show 100. If it does not, STOP. Go to the section marked CORRECTING YOUR SCHEDULE.

Fourth. Adjust the number in the display to the Watering Index number you found on www.clwa.org Some clocks will only let you change the percentage in values of 5 or 10. If that is the case, round up.

Fifth. Check back at regular intervals and change the index number. It’s easy, just turn the dial to the index and adjust it up or down to ensure your plants are getting just what they need. TIP: Put a reminder on your calendar or check the percentage the same day your trash is picked up.

Congratulations! You are now following the watering needs of your plants with your watering schedule. Your properly maintained system well give you years of service and ensure your yard, the largest use of residential water, is being efficiently cared for.

The index is normally 100 percent for much of July and August. Over the course of the year the index changes to reflect the landscape’s changing need for water as climatic conditions change.

Think of it this way: during a hot, dry week in July, you are watering at 100% of your landscape’s maximum needs. During a June gloom, you may only need to water half that much. Check the web site for the current watering demand.

 

Who should use the Watering Index?

Residents, gardeners and landscape maintenance professionals easily can use the Watering Index to make sure the plants they care for are getting the right amount of water.

 

Why is it important to begin this weekly adjustment process?

You can save a considerable amount of water by adjusting your controller via the Watering Index. Reducing your water use will reduce your water bill and help us save a very precious and limited resource.

 

CORRECTING YOUR SCHEDULE

My Index does not show 100%.

That’s O.K. you can fix it. Here's how:

My Index shows less than 100%

This means that the time shown for that irrigation station is more than the actual watering time. As an example: I have a station run time of 10 minutes but the Index shows 80%. Your actual run time is going to be 8 minutes.

My Index shows over 100%.

This means that the time shown for that irrigation station is less than the actual watering time. As an example: I have a station run time of 10 minutes but the Index shows 120%. Your actual run time is going to be 12 minutes.

How do I fix it?

Go to www.bewaterwise.com and use the watering calculator to set your irrigation timer. Then be sure to set the timer to the current Watering Index you find on www.clwa.org.

For more ways to ensure water efficiency, please check out CLWA’s website or contact your local retail water provider.

(back to top)