With the summer lawn watering season over, winterizing your lawn irrigation system now can save a lot of money later by preventing leaks. A leak in an underground sprinkler line can be difficult to detect and can waste as much as 9,100 gallons of water per year, the Alliance for Water Efficiency says.

Typically, preparing an irrigation system for the winter months starts with removing all the water from the system by shutting off the water supply to the system and then using compressed air to blow out the remaining water from the associated pipes and sprinkler heads. Removing water from the system helps prevent damage to the underground pipes due to the freezing and thawing that takes place during the winter months, says Missouri American Water, which provides water to 1.5 million people in Missouri.

Irrigation contractors can winterize the backflow prevention assembly that is required for all irrigation systems by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri American said. Backflow assemblies on lawn irrigation systems help to protect the water system from the risk of contamination in the event of an unexpected loss of pressure in the system; for example, a drop in pressure caused by a water main break.

“These simple steps to winterize your irrigation system can help prevent water leaks and protect the quality of water in your home or business and in our water system,” said Missouri American Water Environmental Manager Tim Ganz.

Source: Missouri American Water