July 2007

It has been a wet summer in Central Texas.Regular rainfall has kept the soil moist enough to support lush lawns and even a few clusters of mushrooms here and there.

As welcome waves of rain showers have passed through the region, it is surprising to see so many irrigation systems running in the rain. Water that is applied by sprinklers to saturated soil is 100 percent wasted. So is the money that you are paying for that water. There is no place for that water to go but down the storm drain. There is no benefit to the landscape.

Keeping soil completely wet for long periods can actually be detrimental to plant health. Drought-tolerant plants may develop problems such as root rot, and turf becomes more susceptible to fungal problems.

Fortunately, there is a solution to the problem of watering in the rain—it’s called a rain sensor. Rain sensors automatically shut of an irrigation system when a specific amount of rain has fallen. It is estimated that these devices can save up to 30 percent on outdoor water use—especially in rainy seasons such as the one we are experiencing.

All irrigation system manufacturers make rain sensors. They generally cost somewhere between $30 and $100—money that can be quickly recouped in water bill savings. Rain sensors can be wired or wireless. Some are designed like little trays that fill with water; others have disks that swell when moistened. You can buy rain sensors through irrigation distributors, or at local home improvement centers. The wireless ones take about 15 minutes to install.

If you own and operate an automatic irrigation system, you owe it to yourself to invest in a rain sensor. You will be doing your part to fight water waste, while saving money.

Elizabeth Drozda-Freeman is the conservation landscape specialist for the Lower Colorado River Authority. She can be reached at (512) 473-3200 Ext.2230 or elizabeth.drozda-freeman@lcra.org.