An irrigation system for a Colorado Springs yard should zone turf and beds separately, use drip for beds and trees, run short cycles to avoid runoff, and match your provider's rules. Colorado Springs Utilities allows up to three watering days a week and limits daytime watering May 1 to Oct. 15. Systems need backflow protection and a fall blowout.
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In a semi-arid place like Colorado Springs, the sprinkler system decides how much of your water bill goes to the lawn and whether you can keep plants alive within local watering rules. A well-designed system puts water where roots are, during allowed hours, without runoff. A neglected one wastes water, leaves brown patches and can earn a water-waste notice.
Colorado Springs Utilities watering rules
CSU's Water Wise Rules, in effect year-round, allow watering up to three days a week, on days you choose. From May 1 to Oct. 15, watering is limited to before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to reduce evaporation. Leaking sprinkler systems must be repaired within 10 days. Drip irrigation, a handheld hose with a shutoff nozzle or a watering can may be used at any time for trees, shrubs and flower and vegetable gardens. Large landscapes can apply for a water allocation plan, which adds flexibility in timing but not extra water. Rules can tighten during drought, and other providers in the region set their own, so check with yours and set your controller to match.
Design for sun, wind and soil
- Separate zones for turf, shrub beds and trees, and for sunny south and west exposures versus shade.
- Rotors and rotary nozzles apply water slowly, which suits clay soils and slopes; CSU offers high-efficiency nozzles through some of its programs.
- Drip in beds and for trees cuts evaporation and is allowed outside the restricted hours.
- Cycle and soak scheduling breaks run times into shorter cycles so water soaks in instead of running off.
- Keep spray off the foundation. On expansive soils, CSU Extension advises against sprinklers spraying within five feet of the house.
- Smart controllers that adjust to weather can reduce overwatering. EPA WaterSense labels controllers that meet its criteria, and CSU lists residential irrigation rebates on its website.
Backflow prevention
Sprinkler systems tied to a public water supply need a backflow prevention assembly so lawn water and fertilizer can't be drawn back into drinking water. CSU Extension notes that permits are typically required where a backflow device is needed, and that devices must be tested at installation and periodically by a certified backflow tester. Who can install the assembly and how often it must be tested depend on your water provider and PPRBD, so ask your installer to handle the permit and testing paperwork.
Freeze protection: the fall blowout
Hard freezes arrive in fall and can return in spring. Water left in pipes, valves and the backflow assembly can freeze and crack them. Most local systems are winterized each fall by shutting off the supply and blowing out the lines with compressed air, and the backflow device is often the most exposed part. Book blowouts early, since companies fill up once the first freeze is forecast. In spring, recharge slowly and check for leaks before the first watering day.
Common repairs
- Cracked heads, valves or backflow parts after a freeze
- Tilted or buried heads causing dry spots
- Clogged nozzles and drip emitters
- Controllers still set to summer run times in fall
Questions to ask
- How will you zone the system, and will beds use drip?
- Who pulls permits and handles backflow testing?
- Do you offer fall blowouts and spring start-ups?
- What warranty covers parts and labor?
Need a new system or a repair in Colorado Springs? Request an irrigation company.
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Frequently asked questions
When should I blow out my sprinklers in Colorado Springs?
Before the first hard freeze in fall. Many companies book up quickly once freezes are forecast, so schedule early. The backflow assembly is often the most freeze-exposed part.
Can I run drip irrigation during the day?
Under Colorado Springs Utilities rules, drip irrigation, a handheld hose with a shutoff nozzle or a watering can may be used at any time for trees, shrubs and gardens.
Are there rebates for efficient irrigation?
Colorado Springs Utilities lists residential irrigation rebates and a native grass program with high-efficiency nozzles on its website. Offers and eligibility change, so check csu.org or your own water provider.
Sources and further reading
- Colorado State University Extension, El Paso County
- CSU Extension PlantTalk: Expansive Soils
- Colorado Springs Utilities: Water Wise Rules
- Colorado Springs Utilities: Establishment Permits
- Colorado Springs Utilities: Native Grass Lawn Program
- Colorado Department of Agriculture: Commercial Pesticide Applicators
- Colorado State Forest Service: Protect Your Home and Property from Wildfire
- Colorado State Forest Service: Home Ignition Zone Guide
- CSU Extension: Home Sprinkler Systems and Backflow Prevention
- City of Manitou Springs: Fence and Retaining Wall Guidelines
- Pikes Peak Regional Building Department
- Colorado 811
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- EPA WaterSense