Landscape Systems and Meters

Some residents have dedicated landscape irrigation systems or sprinkler systems for their lawns and landscaping. These systems can be convenient and have a tremendous positive impact on the appearance of your lawn and landscaping. Be mindful, however, of how much water these systems can use in a short amount of time. The typical sprinkler system uses about 15 gallons per minute. A system running 4 zones at 10 minutes per day, twice a week can use about 9,000 gallons a month, or 27,000 gallons a quarter. 

4 zones	x	10 minutes/day	=	40 total minutes/day
40 total minutes/day	x	15 gallons/minute	=	600 gallons/day
600 gallons/day	x	15 days/month	=	9,000 gallons/month
9,000 gallons/month	x	3 months	=	27,000 gallons/quarter

By using the formula above, you may estimate the number of gallons your irrigation system uses in a month or billing quarter. Note, the formula above is presented for estimation only and your actual usage may be different.

We recommend you observe your sprinkler system once per month particularly if you utilize automatic settings. This is especially important after power outages, when systems can be reset. Here are some additional tips:

• Water in the early morning (4 a.m. to 10 a.m.). This allows the grass blades to dry, making them less susceptible to foliar diseases. Watering is more efficient in morning due to less evaporation and wind speed.
• Change the time that your system runs monthly, or at least seasonally. Contact a lawn sprinkler professional if you need help.
• A good rule of thumb: when you adjust your thermostat due to seasonal temperature changes, adjust your irrigation controller watering schedule as well.
• Look for heads that don't turn, heads that spray into the street or onto a sidewalk, bent or damaged heads, clogged or worn nozzles or orifices, turf growth around heads that impede water delivery, puddling and runoff.

Landscape MetersThe Village of Glendale permits the installation of landscape meters for residents with underground lawn and landscape sprinklers. These meters measure water used solely for lawn and landscape irrigation. Because this water does not directly enter the Village's sanitary sewer system, this water is not subject to sewer treatment charges. Once installed, usage through a landscape meter is billed at the current water rate, with no minimum bill generated.

By ordinance, the meter may be installed off a branch of the residential service line occurring before or after the domestic water meter, connected to a closed irrigation system.  The meter shall only be installed on a closed irrigation system. A backflow prevention device is required.
Landscape Meter Application Form