September Irrigation Tips for Las Vegas: Adjusting Your Sprinkler System for Fall

September is an important transition month for irrigation in Las Vegas. While the worst of the summer heat may be behind us, temperatures can still be extremely high, and your landscape may continue to need consistent watering. At the same time, Southern Nevada moves into its fall watering schedule on September 1, making this a good time to review your irrigation controller and inspect your entire system.

For homeowners, September is not simply the month to turn the water down. It is the month to adjust your irrigation system carefully based on the weather, landscape, and condition of your sprinkler or drip system.

The National Weather Service lists a normal September 1 high temperature of about 100°F in Las Vegas, and temperatures can remain in the 90s and occasionally reach or exceed 100°F during the month.

September Means a Change in Your Las Vegas Watering Schedule

One of the most important irrigation changes in September is the transition to the mandatory fall watering schedule.

According to the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), landscape irrigation is limited to three assigned days per week from September 1 through October 31. Sunday watering is prohibited year-round.

This seasonal change makes September an excellent time to check your irrigation controller.

If your controller is still programmed for your summer schedule, it may be watering more frequently than permitted. If it is programmed incorrectly, you could also be wasting water or potentially damaging your landscape through overwatering.

Don’t Cut Back Your Watering Too Quickly

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make in September is assuming that cooler weather means their plants immediately need much less water.

Las Vegas weather doesn’t always cooperate with the calendar.

A few cooler days can be followed by another stretch of intense heat. Trees, shrubs, flowers, turf and other plants can continue losing moisture through evaporation and transpiration while temperatures remain high.

Instead of making a dramatic reduction in irrigation, monitor your landscape and adjust your system gradually.

Look at your plants.

Are leaves beginning to wilt? Are areas of grass turning brown? Is the soil extremely dry? Are trees showing signs of stress?

These can be indications that your landscape isn’t receiving enough water.

On the other hand, constantly wet soil, standing water, runoff or unusually lush areas can indicate that you are watering too much.

The goal isn’t simply to use less water. The goal is to use the right amount of water where it is needed.

Check Your Irrigation Controller

September is one of the best times of the year to inspect your irrigation timer or smart controller.

Start by checking the following:

• Watering days
• Start times
• Run times
• Number of start cycles
• Sprinkler zones
• Drip irrigation programs
• Seasonal adjustment settings
• Rain or weather sensors, if installed
• Battery and backup settings

SNWA recommends changing irrigation controller settings as seasons change, both to comply with mandatory watering restrictions and to maintain landscape health.

If you have a smart irrigation controller, September is also a good time to review its programming and make sure it is operating correctly.

A controller can only manage your irrigation system properly if the zones, run times and watering days have been programmed correctly.

Inspect Your Sprinkler Heads

Your irrigation system has probably been working hard throughout the summer.

That makes September a good time to walk through your property and inspect every sprinkler zone.

Turn each zone on and watch what happens.

Look for:

• Broken sprinkler heads
• Sprinklers spraying onto sidewalks or driveways
• Tilted or sunken sprinkler heads
• Clogged nozzles
• Uneven spray patterns
• Water pooling in certain areas
• Low-pressure areas
• Sprinklers that aren’t popping up properly
• Overspray onto walls, fences or other hard surfaces

A sprinkler head that has been knocked out of position can continue wasting water every time the zone operates.

You may not notice the problem from inside your home, but over several weeks the wasted water can add up.

Don’t Forget About Drip Irrigation

Sprinklers aren’t the only part of your irrigation system that deserves attention.

Many Las Vegas landscapes use drip irrigation for trees, shrubs, desert plants and other water-efficient landscaping.

Drip systems can be extremely effective, but they also require maintenance.

Walk around your landscape and inspect the drip lines and emitters.

• Broken tubing
• Disconnected lines
• Missing emitters
• Clogged emitters
• Damaged filters
• Leaking connections
• Emitters that are delivering too much water
• Plants that aren’t receiving water

A clogged emitter can cause an individual plant to receive little or no water even though the irrigation controller appears to be working perfectly.

SNWA recommends checking soil moisture and making sure emitters are functioning when plants appear stressed. It also recommends flushing drip irrigation lines and filters when changing seasonal irrigation schedules.

Check for Irrigation Leaks

A leak can be one of the most expensive irrigation problems because it may continue every time your system runs.

Some leaks are obvious. Others are not.

Check for unusually wet areas in your yard, water pooling around sprinkler valves, continuously wet soil, or water running when your irrigation system should be off.

You should also pay attention to your water bill. An unexplained increase in outdoor water consumption can sometimes point to an irrigation problem.

If you suspect a leak but can’t locate it, an irrigation professional can inspect the system and identify the source.

Fixing a leak doesn’t just protect your wallet. It also helps conserve Southern Nevada’s limited water resources.

Water Early in the Morning

When possible, schedule landscape irrigation during the early morning hours.

Watering during the cooler part of the day can reduce evaporation compared with watering during the hottest portion of the afternoon.

SNWA recommends early-morning watering for sprinkler systems and recommends using multiple short cycles for grass to help water soak into Southern Nevada’s parched soil.

This is particularly important for sprinkler systems because applying too much water too quickly can result in runoff.

Instead of allowing water to run down the street or onto a sidewalk, properly programmed cycles allow water to soak into the soil.

Use the Right Irrigation Method for Your Landscape

Not every part of your landscape should necessarily be watered in the same way.

Grass, trees, shrubs, flowers and desert-adapted plants have different watering requirements.

For example, drip irrigation is generally better suited to individual trees and shrubs than traditional spray irrigation. Turf areas may require sprinklers designed to distribute water evenly across the entire lawn.

One of the benefits of a properly designed irrigation system is that different landscape areas can be divided into separate zones.

This allows you to manage watering based on the needs of the plants rather than treating the entire property as though everything requires the same amount of water.

September Is a Good Month for an Irrigation Checkup

Your irrigation system may appear to be working because the controller turns on and water comes out of the sprinklers.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the system is working efficiently.

An irrigation system can have problems that aren’t immediately obvious.

A professional irrigation inspection can help identify these problems before they become more expensive.

September is particularly convenient for an inspection because you’re already changing the seasonal watering schedule.

Fall Is About Efficiency, Not Just Less Water

Southern Nevada has made water conservation an important part of maintaining a healthy community.

SNWA reports that approximately 60% of Southern Nevada’s water is used outdoors, making landscape irrigation an important area for conservation.

That doesn’t mean homeowners need to eliminate their landscapes.

It means irrigation should be designed and operated intelligently.

A well-maintained irrigation system can deliver water where it is needed while reducing unnecessary runoff, overspray and leaks.

This is especially important in Las Vegas, where the desert climate makes efficient outdoor water use essential.

What Las Vegas Homeowners Should Do This September

Need Irrigation Repair in Las Vegas?

September is an excellent time to make sure your irrigation system is ready for the changing season.

If you have a broken sprinkler head, leaking irrigation line, clogged drip system, malfunctioning valve or irrigation timer that isn’t operating correctly, don’t wait until the problem becomes more serious.

Irrigation Solutions of Las Vegas provides irrigation repair and service for residential and commercial properties throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Our team can help identify irrigation problems, repair damaged components and make adjustments to help your system operate more effectively.

Whether you need a simple sprinkler repair or have a larger irrigation problem, getting the system checked can help protect your landscape and prevent unnecessary water waste.