Water Conservation

	Non-Conserving	Conserving
Shower	25 Gallons	Low-flow Showerhead 14 Gallons Wet-down, rinse-off 4 Gallons
Toilet Flushing*	5-7 Gallons	Low-flush toilet 3.5 Gallons Toilet dam or displacement bag in tank 4-6 Gallons
Brushing Teeth	Tap running 10 Gallons	Wet brush & rinse 1/2 Gallon or less
Tub Bath	Full 60 Gallons	Minimal Water Level 20-30 Gallons
Shaving	Tap running 20 Gallons	Fill Basin 1 Gallon
Washing Hands	Tap running 2 Gallons	Fill Basin 1 Gallon
Dishwashing	Tap running 45 Gallons	Wash & Rinse in sink 5 Gallons
Automatic Dishwasher	Full Cycle 45 Gallons	Short Cycle 11 Gallons
Washing Machine	Full Cycle Top water level 35 Gallons	Short Cycle Minimal water level 25 Gallons
Leaks	Toilet Leak Up to 100 Gallons Other Leaks 70 Gallons & up per day	Toilets are notorious for hidden leaks, the greatest cause of customer complaints about a high water bill
* Toilet flushing accounts for the single largest daily use of water inside the home, approximately 28% of indoor water use. The amount used per flush depends on the size of the toilet tank.

Rain Sensors Make Sense!

Automatic sprinkler system controllers are programmed to go on and off on a certain day and at a certain time. The controller does not know if it is sunny and dry outside or raining. For this reason every lawn sprinkler system should have a rain sensor.

The rain sensor determines whether enough rainfall has occurred in order to skip an irrigation cycle. There are three basic types of rain sensors. They all serve the same purpose: keeping your system from over-watering the turf or your garden.

How does it do that? The electrical connection between the sensor and your sprinkler system controller is interrupted when a certain amount of rain triggers the device. The sensor breaks the electrical connection so that electricity cannot flow to either the sprinkler valves or to a pump start (if your system is on a well without a pressure tank).

One type breaks the connection by weighing the water in a rainfall collection cup. The problem with this type of sensor is that leaves, sticks or other debris will find its way into the collection cup and therefore turn off the system.

The next type uses electrodes to determine how much water is in the collection cup. This kind of rain sensor device also has a problem because things other than rainfall end up in the collection cup.

The most common type of rain sensor used by professionals is the expansion disk device. This kind of sensor does not use a collection cup; instead, rainfall causes cork disks to expand. This device uses a pressure switch to break the electrical connection. These can be adjusted in increments of ¼” to the desired rainfall setting. This adjustment is usually set to turn off the sprinklers after ½” of rain has fallen.

The most important aspect of installing a rain sensor is where to place it. It should be installed in an area that is unobstructed by trees, roof over hangs, or anything else that might block rain from getting to the sensor. If it is a wired sensor, placement is generally near the sprinkler controller. The wires should be connected inside the controller’s valve wiring panel. This allows for easier electrical trouble-shooting of the system as the sensor can be easily disconnected.

In the last few years, wireless rain sensors have become very popular. Although they are more expensive than the wired devices, the ease of installation and increased placement options offset the cost. Most wireless units come with by-pass switches built into the device. Some digital controllers also offer by-pass options for both wired devices and wireless rain sensors.

No matter the type of rain sensor you choose, all rain sensors offer many advantages over not adding this detector to your automatic sprinkler system. Some of the immediate and long-term benefits include:

• Saves Money. Whether you pay for SCWA water or spend electricity running a pump, the money you save over time will more than pay for the rain sensor.

• Extends Sprinkler System Life Span. Irrigation systems are made up of moving parts. If the system parts are utilized less frequently (during the rainy season), they last longer.

• Protects Water Resources. By limiting the over use of your sprinkler system, rain sensors reduce excess water run-off that carries fertilizers and pest control chemicals into our shared water supply.

• Conserves Water. Less water is wasted when less supplemental water is needed for your turf and in your garden.

How much money can you save with a rain sensor device?
Here is one example that demonstrates the benefits listed above:

• The average 5-zone sprinkler system puts down roughly 9,000 gallons per irrigation cycle.

• At a cost of $1.46 per thousand gallons, every time a rain sensor on this system interrupts a sprinkler cycle, it would save $13.14.

• If the sensor stops the system from over watering ten times per season, it results in a $131.40 savings. Plus it makes for a healthier lawn.

The next time you see a sprinkler system running in the rain, you now know it does not have to be that way. Rain sensors conserve our water, protect our water resources and save you money.