Make the most of every drop (and dollar) with water-saving rebates

When it comes to water droplets, size matters. Bigger is better.

High-efficiency (HE) sprinklers, also known as rotator sprinklers, push out steady streams of big droplets at a rate that’s easier for most soils to absorb, particularly the heavy clay soils that are common in the greater Sacramento area. Compared to traditional pop-up sprinkler heads, HE heads can save an estimated 30% of water use.

“Absolutely, there’s more interest in high-efficiency sprinklers,” says William Granger, water conservation coordinator for the City of Sacramento. “They’re definitely more common, but we still have a way to go. I’m still surprised how many people don’t look into them, especially people with slopes. There’s a lot of opportunity there.”

Because HE sprinklers deliver those big droplets at a slower rate, sloped lawns and landscaping can better absorb that moisture. HE sprinklers also provide better coverage. Unlike misting sprinklers that can be hit or miss, HE sprinklers deliver rotating sprays that distribute water more uniformly. (Again, it’s those big droplets at work.)

“You can see the different streams and different lengths,” Granger explains. “They’re fingers of spray, from 2 feet up to 20 feet or more. Depending on the product, you can adapt the radius. They’re putting out less water, so there’s a lot less hitting the sidewalk or hardscape.”

Since the water droplets are heavier, they’re less likely to blow in the wind, he adds. “There’s not that misting and drifting you get with standard sprinklers. The droplets land where you want them to land. Because you’re applying water at a more reasonable rate, there’s a lot less runoff.”

Since the water is flowing more slowly, HE sprinklers need to run longer, Granger notes. “The application rate is about one-quarter of standard spray heads – a half inch an hour compared to 2 inches per hour – so you’ll need to run your system four times longer to apply the same amount of water.”

This has benefits, too.

“By putting water out more slowly, it has a chance to soak in,” he adds. “That’s super beneficial for plants.”

HE sprinkler conversions are among homeowners’ easiest water-saving upgrades; no digging or new pipes are necessary. The new nozzles retrofit the sprinkler heads, not the whole system.

Make use of incentives

Rebates make the conversion even easier. The City of Sacramento and other water agencies offer rebates that cover the cost of new HE heads, usually about $10 apiece. Sacramento, for example, offers up to $400 for materials for conversions to high-efficiency or drip irrigation systems; that includes retrofitting sprinkler heads.

“If you use a licensed contractor for installation, we’ll cover part of that cost, too,” Granger says.

Since debuting its water conservation rebate program in 2014, Sacramento has seen steady demand – especially in lawn conversions. Sacramento’s “Cash for Grass” rebate currently offers $1.50 per square foot of turf, up to 2,000 square feet.

“We’re really close to 2 million square feet (of lawn conversion) through our rebate program,” Granger says. “We know people (do conversions) on their own, too. You do need to have an existing lawn to get that rebate. But if not, we have other rebates you could use, such as our irrigation upgrade rebates.”

Each water provider has its own rebate program, he notes. Make sure to read the rebate application instructions and rules before starting your project, so you don’t miss out.