Water-efficient landscaping, and technologies that control water use, is increasingly important to commercial properties and facilities pursing measures that improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impacts and irrigation costs.
Our team of water management experts can help you navigate these complex issues and help you save money.
Including these irrigation strategies is key:
- Switch to drip systems for efficient irrigation. Install smart, weather-based controllers. These controllers measure precipitation, wind, sun and climate factors.
- Maintain landscapes that are in harmony with the environment by reducing green waste, nurturing healthy soils, creating wildlife habitats, and reducing stormwater runoff.
- Analyze water use trends and develop a water-management plan to ensure that all systems operate efficiently, runoff is reduced, and groundwater quality is protected.
- Switch to a plant palette with flowering perennials and native plant materials to provide a sustainable, cost-effective and water-tolerant landscape, and decrease the amount of maintenance required.
- Optimize the placement of trees to increase shade and reduce energy.
- Mulch to reduce evaporation and cutdown on weeds and improve soil quality and absorption.
- Decrease the use of impervious surfaces to protect watersheds and recharge groundwater.
Landscape Irrigation Management Services
Wind, weather, seasonal, and climate changes require irrigation systems to be adjusted according to plant and soil health requirements, and water needs. Our irrigation and water management services include:
- Irrigation system adjustments to keep plants healthy and resilient.
- Troubleshooting and system repairs when needed to improve efficiency and reduce water waste through leaks.
- Inspect the entire system, including pipes, valves, backflow assembly, drains, rain sensors, and sprinkler heads.
- Clean debris from sprinkler heads and check for damage or malfunction.
- Change out any worn or broken parts, check for equipment damage and potential safety risks.
- Restart irrigation systems in spring ahead of summer watering season will depend on how the system was winterized, and includes testing components, backflow valves, zones, and put the system back in good working order.
- Provide support for qualified rebates, as applicable, from local water utilities during periods of drought.
We also provide exceptional irrigation design services; learn more about how we can enhance your property’s water management.
Water Audits
Managing and conserving water in the landscape depends on keeping irrigation systems functioning at a high level. A water audit is one way to ensure irrigation systems are working adequately.
A typical water audit includes a visual system inspection, evaluation of landscape’s watering needs, information on the amount of water used, analysis of improvements needed, and capturing essential information, such as:
- Determining water flow levels and the amount of water applied to the landscape.
- Assessing the condition of the emitters and nozzles.
- Inspecting for leaks to enable repairs and adjustments.
- Determining the effectiveness of the sprinkler head patterns.
- Calculating water savings potential and cost savings potential.
- Establishing a performance baseline and developing a watering schedule that includes the types of plants and roots needs; whether or not non-turf plants are mulched; soil texture and structure; and evidence of drainage or compaction problems.
Smart Irrigation Technologies
ELM is a Weathermatic® Premier Partner and uses Weathermatic® SmartLink weather-based irrigation controllers, which use local weather and landscape conditions to tailor watering schedules, and soil moisture-based irrigation controllers to monitor hydration in the soil and prevent irrigation systems from distributing water when water is not needed.
Compared to conventional timers, which tend to over-water by 20-60% and do not factor in seasonal, soil, plant and weather conditions, smart control technology saves 38% on water with auto adjust features, reduces hardscape damage to pavements and parking lots from run-off, extends the life of plants, offers freeze protection, and flow sensing that provides critical and immediate information for troubleshooting.
Sustainability
Investing in water efficiency and conservation measure is good business. ELM’s commitment to water conservation earned our irrigation team a Fairfield County ChangeMaker® Award for sustainability. Today, we partner with our commercial real estate professionals, customers and municipal water agencies across Connecticut and greater New York metro to provide solutions and cost-saving information that help reduce the amount of water used in landscapes.
Our water management services could help you obtain a ROI within 2-3 years. Learn more by visiting our water conservation page or by downloading our presentation.
Qualifications
ELM’s irrigation and water management professionals and technicians are experienced, trained, licensed and certified in the installation of irrigation systems and components, and committed to advancing a greater understanding of drought risk, environmental impacts, and help commercial real estate leaders meet sustainability and resource management goals.
CT Irrigation Contractor License # PLM.0208771-J3