You might have already turned on your irrigation system at home but Truckee Meadows Water Authority wants to remind folks about the importance of making sure it's done correctly.
On Wednesday, they held a workshop to allow people to come in and learn the proper steps to start up their irrigation system at home and even offered tips on how to help catch a leak right when it starts. They recommend to set up a leak alert through their account to know when extra water is being accounted for.
Shannon Giolito, a water conservation coordinator for TMWA told us, "One of our biggest water wastes that we have in the springtime is improper start up of the irrigation system. The big flaws a lot of people miss their drain valves and they don't close them completely and then a month later, they get hit with that big water bill. The drain valves are buried under the ground so you don't see the water waste."
Officials said making sure those drain valves are closed before even turning on your irrigation system is key to ensuring there's no water waste and should be the first step.
Once your system is on, looking inside the riser tubes and seeing water is your sign that the drain valves aren't closed all the way.
At the workshop they told residents to make sure to not over tighten the valves because that could cause a break -- but make sure it's still tight enough for them to feel snug.
They say even if you are renting your home they encourage people to still be familiar with the irrigation system and reach out if you have any questions.
Giolito also told us, "In the springtime, 90% I would say of our complaints for high water bills are because something's going on in the irrigation system, so I think it's extremely important to learn your irrigation system, learn how it works, and learn how to winterize it and how to turn it on properly in the spring time."
After speaking to people that attended the workshop they told me they now feel comfortable being able to tell the difference in their system and distinguish what each part is. They also say they'll try to handle their own system now whenever possible -- instead of calling their gardener.
Deanna Foster who attended the workshop said, "We have two different systems, a drip system in the back, which is set up very differently than our, irrigation system with the lawn in the front so it was very helpful to understand what those different parts and pieces are and, how to turn them on and off."
if you weren't able to make it to Wednesday's workshop they will be having another through Zoom next week.
