Bad sprinkler habits waste water, annoy famous climatologist
Aug 10, 2015, 12:50 PM | Updated: Aug 11, 2015, 1:10 pm
Home sprinklers can lose 25 to 50 percent of the water they spurt out, according to University of Washington Climatologist Cliff Mass. (AP)
(AP)
That sprinkler in your yard that’s made watering so much easier might be taking a toll on Seattle’s dwindling water supply.
Home sprinklers can lose 25 to 50 percent of the water they spurt out, according to University of Washington Climatologist Cliff Mass.
There are three main reasons for this: evaporation, wind and runoff.
Related: Climate change already rearing its ugly head in Northwest
“[I]t is maddening to see folks waste large amounts of water by using their sprinklers mid-day when temperatures are highest and evaporation is largest,” Mass writes.
In the Northwest, during a 90-degree day and 30 percent humidity, there is about 10 times the chance for evaporation loss than at night. A good portion of the water being spit out by a sprinkler during a hot day is gone before it hits the ground. Even if it is reaching the ground, the water won’t have time to soak in. Basically, daytime use of sprinklers is incredibly wasteful, Mass points out.
The best times to avoid evaporation is between 3-6 a.m.
Wind is also an enemy of the sprinkler. It can cause water to drift, moving it away from the intended area, Mass writes.
Furthermore, it is better to water less frequently, but with more water. Why? It allows for water to penetrate the soil deeper. In fact, sometimes the best time to water is after it rains because dry soil can become hydrophobic, according to Mass.
Another aspect of watering that homeowners should be aware of is how large the water droplets from a sprinkler are. Big droplets are more effective than small ones, Mass points out.
If conserving water during a drought isn’t enough to get homeowners to change their behavior, maybe the cost of inappropriate watering will. Watering during the wrong times can cost “hundreds of dollars over the summer,” Mass writes.
The bottom line is: Don’t water between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and make sure your equipment isn’t wasting water.
“…Unless you want to help us run out of water or enrich local water suppliers.”
