Save Money and Save Water with Smart Irrigation Programs and Rebates!
Irrigation, the process of watering land, lawns, or gardens, is the first place to start when it comes to saving money and water. Roughly 50% of all water used in a year is outdoors, and strategic adjustments can help you soak up the many benefits of being water-wise. Fortunately, smart irrigation doesn’t mean sacrificing a green lawn. Thornton offers a variety of recommendations, rebates, and programs to help you lower your water bill and be more water-wise outdoors.
Tip #1: Slow the Flow with a Sprinkler Consultation
Thornton residents are eligible for a FREE sprinkler consultation with our partners at Resource Central. Approximately 99% of Front Range landscapes have sprinklers that can cause water waste due to inefficiencies and runoff. A 75-minute evaluation could help you save thousands of gallons of water each year. Resource Central associates run efficiency tests on your sprinkler system, make tune-up recommendations to reduce water waste, and provide a customized watering schedule designed to optimize your water use. It’s easy to sign up and schedule!
- Register for a free Slow the Flow consultation on Resource Central or call 303-999-3824.
- Meet your irrigation technician at your appointment to learn about your irrigation system and receive free recommendations.
- Watch your lawn flourish while your water use drops!
Tip #2: Transform Your Landscape with Resource Central’s Lawn Replacement Program
Converting a thirsty lawn into a low-water landscape can be exhausting! Thornton has partnered with nonprofit Resource Central to offer a simple Lawn Replacement Program to help. Jump-start your water-saving landscape project by hiring Resource Central to cut, remove, and compost a section of your lawn for as little as $1.00 per square foot. They will help get you closer to planting the low-water garden you’ve always dreamed of! To get started, simply:
- Plan your project by showing us where you’ll remove grass, how you’ll cover the space, and how you’ll adjust your irrigation system to save water.
- Check out Waterwise Yards for inspiration!
- Submit a complete application with your utility account number and a “before” photo.
- Complete a phone consultation with Resource Central to finalize your plan.
- Schedule your turf removal, pick up your new water-wise plants, and send us a photo of your transformed yard!
Find more information and enroll today on the Resource Central lawn removal website or by calling 303-999-3820 ext. 221. As of August 2024, appointments are still available for Thornton residents this year!
Tip #3: Bring Smart Irrigation to Your Own Backyard
With an EPA WaterSense Smart Irrigation Controller, you can keep your green – in more ways than one. These irrigation controllers can sense how much water your lawn needs by gathering information from your local weather station. Plus, they account for seasonal changes and tailor to your plants’ and lawn’s water needs depending on your location, landscape, sprinkler type, and soil type.
The best part? Thornton Water offers an Irrigation Controller Rebate! Get up to $200 back in your pocket for simply installing. Learn more and apply online on our Rebates page.
Tip #4: Cycle, Soak, Repeat
In the midst of the summer heat, you may think it’s a good idea to water your lawn in the heat of the day since that’s when it seems to need it the most. In reality, irrigation during peak heat hours can cause your lawn to dry up faster in the sun and doesn’t give your grass and flowers enough time to soak up the water.
During the summer season, smart irrigation may mean tapping into your early bird – or night owl–side. Thornton’s Water Use Rules suggest watering before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. no more than three days per week to prevent your lawn from quickly drying up:
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| Fixed Spray Nozzles | Rotors | Rotary Nozzles | Manual Sprinklers | |
| Minutes | Minutes | Minutes | Minutes | |
| MAY | 12 | 24 | 30 | 18 |
| JUNE | 17 | 35 | 43 | 26 |
| JULY | 18 | 36 | 45 | 27 |
| AUGUST | 14 | 27 | 34 | 20 |
| SEPTEMBER | 11 | 23 | 28 | 17 |
The Cycle & Soak method is the best way to keep your lawn happy throughout the summer. Watering in one continuous cycle creates run-off and prevents water from soaking in. Using the Cycle & Soak method is more efficient because it gives your grass the time it needs to absorb water into the soil for deeper roots and a lush lawn. If you have a sprinkler system, programming for Cycle & Soak is simple:
- Reference the Thornton Watering Guide and split your watering times into three short cycles.
- Schedule each cycle at least an hour apart. For example, a 15-minute watering time would be split into three 5-minute cycles with an hour between each cycle. Most modern irrigation controllers have a cycle and soak function. Have an old controller? Check out our tip on getting a rebate on a smart controller above!
- Stand back and enjoy a healthier, more water-wise lawn!
Additional Tips and Tricks for Smart Irrigation
- Schedule a free sprinkler consultation on Resource central to get a customized efficient watering schedule.
- Install a smart irrigation controller or rain sensor that automatically shuts off your sprinkler system when it rains. Once installed, you can apply for a rebate on our Residential Rebates page!
- Fix all your leaks, and check for hidden ones. Use a drip irrigation system for newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials to water the root zone without wasting water.
- Don’t water lawns more than three days per week.
- Check your irrigation controller for extra, unintended programming or start times.
- Learn more on our H2Overhaul Water-Wise Irrigation page!
Need to get in touch? Drop us a line! For additional resources, visit the Contact Us page.
