How Smart Sprinkler Heads Save Your Lawn and Your Wallet in Minnesota
When most people want to save money on their water bill, they try watering their lawn less. But if your irrigation system is using standard, basic sprinkler heads, you could be wasting thousands of gallons of water every month without even knowing it.
The secret to a lower water bill and a healthier lawn isn’t watering less—it’s watering smarter.
At Minnesota Irrigation, we recommend two simple upgrades inside your sprinkler heads that make a massive difference – Pressure Regulated Heads and Check Valves. Here is how they work to save you water and money:
1. Pressure Regulated Heads: No More Mist
Have you ever looked at your sprinklers and noticed a fine, foggy mist drifting away in the wind? That isn’t just water—that’s your money blowing away.
Water pressure from the city or your well is often too high. When that high pressure hits a standard sprinkler head, it shatters the water into a fine mist that evaporates or blows away before it ever hits your grass.
- How they help: Pressure-regulated heads have a built-in control that slows the water down to a steady, ideal pace.
- The result: The water comes out in large, heavy droplets that fall exactly where they are supposed to. This simple change can cut your water usage by up to 20% to 25% per zone.
2. Check Valves: No More Puddles
Does your yard have a hill, slope, or slight incline? If so, you’ve probably seen water pooling and puddling around the lowest sprinkler heads long after the system has turned off.
This happens because all the water left in the underground pipes naturally drains downhill and leaks out of the lowest head every single time the system shuts down.
- How they help: Built-in check valves act like a one-way trapdoor. The moment the water turns off, they snap shut and hold the water inside the pipes.
- The result: No more soggy puddles drowning the grass at the bottom of the hill. Plus, because the pipes stay full, your system doesn’t have to waste time and water refilling the lines the next time it turns on.
3. Some States mandate pressure-regulated heads including:
- California: Effective since October 1, 2020.
- Vermont: Effective since July 1, 2020.
- Colorado: Effective since January 1, 2021.
- Hawaii: Effective since January 1, 2021.
- Washington: Effective since January 1, 2021.
- Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, & Rhode Island: Effective since January 1, 2023.
- Massachusetts & Washington D.C.: Mandated for spray bodies.
- Maryland: Effective since January 1, 2024
You can also check with your local city to see if they offer any rebates. Many cities in Minnesota do!
The Bottom Line
| Upgrade | What It Fixes | The Big Benefit |
| Pressure Regulation | Misting and wind drift | Heavy droplets, even watering, lower bills |
| Check Valves | Leaking and pooling water | Stops puddles and saves water between cycles |
By combining these two features, you keep your yard healthy, prevent water from wasting on your sidewalks, and ensure you only pay for the water your lawn actually uses.
Ready to Optimize Your System?
You don’t need to replace your entire system to start saving. The team at Minnesota Irrigation can easily upgrade your current sprinkler heads to these high-efficiency models.
Give us a call today, and let’s get your system running smoothly before the summer heat kicks in!
