Avoiding a water-waste citation is as simple as following the watering rules. Take these precautionary measures so you don’t accidentally get one.
San Antonio remains under Stage 2 watering rules and enforcement officers are staying busy, issuing citations for water wasters.
Not receiving a citation is easy, simply follow the watering rules. But there are a few extra precautionary measures you can take to make sure you don’t accidentally get one.
Know your watering day. It’s determined by the last digit of your address.
| Last Digit of Address |
Watering Day |
|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | Monday |
| 2 or 3 | Tuesday |
| 4 or 5 | Wednesday |
| 6 or 7 | Thursday |
| 8 or 9 | Friday |
| No watering on weekends |
Check the time on your controller. If your controller doesn’t have a backup battery, the time could reset whenever the power goes out. Some models even go haywire and reset to water every single day when they lose power. Check your system today to make sure the clock and watering schedule are correct and replace with a fresh 9-volt battery every March and November, so your system has a backup when the power goes out.
Watch your irrigation system when it runs. If there’s a mini version of Old Faithful spouting up every time you water, you could have a monumental water bill. So, check each zone as your system runs through its schedule. Also, make sure water isn’t running onto sidewalks and down the street — that’s grounds for a citation. Runoff is also a sign you may be overwatering; adjust your run times if that’s the case.
Have a rain sensor and test to make sure it works. Watering during a rain event or just after one is a violation of city ordinance because you’re required to have a functional rain sensor. A functional rain sensor wouldn’t let that happen. You can test your sensor by turning your irrigation system on, then placing your thumb on the top of the rain sensor. If your system shuts off, it’s functioning. If it doesn’t work (or doesn’t exist), it’s time to call an irrigator.
Schedule an irrigation consultation to get your system checked. If you find yourself contemplating maintenance on your irrigation controller, give us a call first. We offer free irrigation consultations to look at your system to make sure it’s running smoothly and at the right times.
Give us a call at 210-704-SAVE. We offer rebates to remove part or all of your irrigation system. After all, you can’t get a citation if you don’t have automatic sprinklers.
