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Protecting Plants from Autumn Frost

December 18, 2020 By Matt Sorenson

Frosty flowerThe daytime temperatures in Austin are still warm and pleasant, but the nights are starting to feel nippier.  Jack Frost is definitely on his way – are you prepared to deal with the first freeze of the season?

If you haven’t started to do so, stay tuned to meteorology reports. When the weatherman says to expect freezing temperatures overnight, you know it’s time to take action.

Watering

On the day of an expected frost and about an hour or two before sunset, water all freeze-susceptible flowers, shrubs and trees.  Wet soil holds more heat than dry soil: moreover, the air above wet soil is up to 5 degrees warmer than above its dry counterpart. Hydration can also help plants withstand any damage that cold winds may inflict on them.

Running a sprinkler at night can also help plants as well because water releases heat as it freezes.  BUT: because Austin is still under stage 2 restrictions, you will only be able to use an irrigation system on your assigned day, between the hours of 12 am and 5 am and again between 7 pm and 12 am. So hand watering before nightfall is your best option.

Erecting physical barriers

You can also put sheets, tarps and cardboard boxes over the tops of fragile plants to keep them safe from frost damage.  If you use fabric (or fabric-like material), it’s wise to first erect a cage of some kind around the plants before covering them. Any physical barrier you erect will keep plants 3 to 5 degrees warmer than the surrounding air.  If you cover plants while it’s still light, you’ll also capture any heat that radiates from the soil at night.

South Austin Irrigation is here to help you get the most out of your lawn and garden with top-notch irrigation inspection and repair services. Don’t let Jack Frost take a chilly bite out of your garden. Contact us and let us show you the way to extend the life of your autumn landscape today!

 

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Filed Under: Landscaping tips Tagged With: autumn landscaping, fall landscape tips, horticultural advice, Water news

Austin’s Water Forward Plan

January 21, 2019 By Matt Sorenson

On November 29, 2018 Austin City Council unanimously approved a one hundred year plan, the Water Forward Integrated Water Resource Plan (Water Forward IWRP) for city water use. Officials from Austin Water, the city’s public water utility, called it “the most important water plan that’s been produced in the United States”. The plan is unique because Austin is the only city in the country with a plan to ensure accessibility to water far into the future without taking water from another community. It’s also the first water supply plan in Texas to incorporate climate change into its future projections.

Water Forward estimates the new strategies could cost $429 million over the next twenty-one years. Other water system initiatives and capital upgrades during that time are estimated at $614 million.

This plan has been in the works since 2014 when, during the recent historic drought (2008-2016), City Council convened the Austin Water Resource Planning Task Force to make recommendations regarding future water planning and to evaluate potential water resource management scenarios for Council’s consideration. The Task Force submitted their report in July 2014, with recommendations on demand management and water supply strategies. Their key recommendation was the development of an integrated water resource plan. In December, 2014, Council created the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force (referred to as the Water Forward Task Force) to support the development of the integrated water resource plan.

Key Recommendations of the plan to conserve water and make buildings and landscapes more water efficient are as follows:

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

The plan recommends using Advanced Metering Infrastructure technology, also known as smart meters, to alert customers to potential leaks, and to help them manage their water consumption in close to real time. This year, Austin Water will begin an $80 million dollar three-year process to change every water meter in the city. When completed, Austin Water customers will have access to their bills, water use information, and emergency alerts on their cell phones.

Utility-Side Water Loss Control

Water Forward recommends that Austin Water expand its utility-side programs to prevent, find, and fix leaks, and to improve response time to active leaks between the water treatment plant and the end user.

Landscape Transformation Ordinance

Austin currently has existing landscape transformation requirements for commercial and multi-family properties. The plan recommends enacting a new ordinance requiring the installation of water efficient landscapes with new single-family residential developments.

Implementation of this strategy could result in turf grass area, irrigated area, and/or irrigation area limitations.

Landscape Transformation Incentive

The current WaterWise Landscape rebate offers $35 for every one hundred square feet ($0.35/square foot) converted, with a maximum rebate of $1,750 per property. So far, the program has a low participation rate.

The strategy recommends exploring the increase of WaterWise Landscape rebates for single-family and multi-family residential properties, as well as introducing a new WaterWise landscape rebate for commercial property beyond the City of Austin Land Development Code requirements.

Irrigation Efficiency Incentive

Outdoor water use comprises over twenty two percent of the water currently consumed by Austin Water customers, with most of that water used for landscape watering. Over 89,000 homes and over 5,000 businesses have irrigation and sprinkler systems, which often are programmed to turn on at certain times of the day without regard to weather or plant water needs. This plan strategy focuses on expanding existing Austin Water rebate programs to include rebates for irrigation system smart controllers, and other system improvements. Improved controllers decrease water consumption by responding to leaks, high pressure, soil moisture, and by making flow data accessible.

Alternative Water Ordinances and Incentives

Water Forward recommendations include strategies to help Austin make use of alternative water sources to meet non-drinking water demands (e.g. toilet flushing, and irrigation). Alternative waters include treated rainwater, stormwater, graywater (water from laundry, showers or sinks), air conditioning condensate, and highly treated wastewater effluent. The plan recommends both incentives and ordinances to get compliance for the use of these alternative waters at various scales, described below:

Decentralized lot scale reuse — including onsite generation, treatment, and reuse of alternative waters to include rainwater, stormwater, graywater, air conditioning condensate, and highly treated wastewater effluent.

Decentralized community scale reuse — including collection of alternative waters to include stormwater and wastewater effluent from a cluster of homes or businesses, treatment at locally sited stormwater facilities, distributed wastewater treatment plants or sewer mining facilities, and reuse via a reclaimed water distribution system that would be separate from the centralized reclaimed water system.

Centralized reclaimed water system — including collection of wastewater effluent, treatment at a major wastewater treatment plant, and reuse through connection to the City’s centralized reclaimed water distribution system.

All alternative waters recommended in Water Forward are intended to meet non-drinking water demands, and are recommended to be backed up by the City’s drinking water distribution system.

Aqua Storage and Recovery

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a strategy in which water (potable drinking water) can be stored in an aquifer during wetter periods, and recovered for use during drier periods, such as drought. Storing water underground avoids water loss due to evaporation that occurs in surface water storage.

The Water Forward plan includes a recommendation, to be in place by 2040, to pipe treated drinking water from the City of Austin’s water distribution system to an aquifer storage and recovery well field for injection and storage in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. During drier periods stored water would be recovered and piped back into the City’s water distribution system.

Direct Non-Potable Reuse (Centralized Reclaimed or Purple Pipe System)

Austin Water provides highly treated wastewater (through a purple pipe reclaimed water system) for nonpotable uses such as irrigation, cooling, manufacturing, and toilet flushing.

The Water Forward plan includes expansion of the existing reclaimed water system and reclaimed water use by 2040 to provide more than three times the amount currently used for meeting nonpotable demands.

Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR) Through Lady Bird Lake

Indirect potable reuse is the use of an environmental buffer, such as a river, to discharge highly treated, reclaimed water, before it’s treated at a drinking water plant.

As part of Water Forward’s recommendations, indirect potable reuse would be utilized as a deep drought strategy. If the combined storage of lakes Travis and Buchanan reach levels less than twenty percent, highly treated reclaimed water would be conveyed from the South Austin Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant to Lady Bird Lake. The water would be pumped from Lady Bird Lake to be treated to drinking water standards at Ullrich Water Treatment Plant.

Elements of the infrastructure used in indirect potable reuse will serve multiple functions. Apart from being used for indirect potable reuse during deep drought, most of the infrastructure will be used for other purposes on a more regular basis. Some elements would be used to capture available water flowing into Lady Bird Lake from creeks and springs. This water would also be conveyed to Ullrich Water Treatment Plant. Other elements would be used to provide reclaimed water as part of the purple pipe reclaimed water system.

New Off-Channel Reservoir With Lake Evaporation Suppression

This Water Forward recommendation would involve the construction of a new 25,000 acre-foot off-channel reservoir in the Austin area within the next fifty years. An off-channel reservoir is a water storage body constructed near a river. Water can be pumped from the river into the reservoir during wetter periods of rainfall, and used as drinking water during drier periods, such as drought.

A lake evaporation suppressant, such as a thin layer of food-safe material, would be applied in the summer to reduce water loss due to evaporation.

Brackish Groundwater Desalination

Brackish groundwater desalination is recommended in Water Forward for the 2070 planning horizon as a possible potable water supply diversification strategy.

You can access a summary of the Water Forward Plan here.

Water conservation continues to be as important as ever.  To ensure that your sprinkler system is operating a peak efficiency, call South Austin Irrigation at (512) 534-7449 for all your repair, maintenance, and upgrade needs.

Filed Under: City of Austin Information Tagged With: drought, Irrigation system improvements, Irrigation system maintenance, Irrigation system water conservation, Water news

Good News for Austin Area Water Customers

April 12, 2018 By Matt Sorenson

Water conservation restrictionsThere isn’t any bad news this spring, at least not when it comes to your water bill.

The Austin City Council voted last week on approving a mid-year water and wastewater rate decrease. Decreased rates will affect all residential, multifamily, commercial, and large volume customers of Austin Water.

“I appreciate the creativity and focus that Austin Water has demonstrated to ensure that our residents are getting the best value for their investment,” said City Manager Spencer Cronk in a press release. “Ensuring we have safe, affordable, and reliable water service is a fundamental responsibility.”

So, who is footing the bill for the zero percent rate increase in 2018, and now the mid-year rate reductions?

Some of it comes from developers who tap into the Austin Water system. Annual Capital Recovery fee revenues, or revenue from fees charged to developers, increased from $8 million in fiscal year 2013 to a projected $30 million in fiscal year 2018.

Other factors that are keeping rates down for retail customers include:

  • Reducing debt service expenses by over $70 million from 2016 to 2018
  • A budget reduction of $30 million from 2014 to 2015

But when will the average water customer see the perks? Austin Water customers can expect to see decreases starting May 1, with an average $2.40 reduction on the monthly bill.

Now, that is good news!

Here are some more ways you can reduce your monthly bill:

  • Practice these water conservation tips from Austin Water
  • Follow local water restrictions to avoid fines
  • Invest in a smart irrigation control system
  • Replaced damaged or outdated irrigation controls and sprinkler heads
  • Choose water-conserving landscaping for your yard

South Austin Irrigation can maintain and repair your irrigation system. So when you’re your irrigation system needs some tender loving care, give us a call at (512) 534-7449.

 

Filed Under: City of Austin Information Tagged With: water conservation tips, Water news

High Meter Reads Impact Thousands of Austin Utility Customers

March 14, 2018 By Matt Sorenson

South Austin Irrigation thought we should let you know that more than 7,000 Austin residents discovered the importance of keeping tabs on water bills this September as they saw utility bills double, triple, or even multiply x 10 due to meter reading errors.

The incorrect meter reads occurred as the city transitioned between two city meter reading vendors. Corix Utilities performed August reads which were, in some cases, abnormally low, while September reads were performed by Bermex. It is unclear if the discrepancies were a result of human error or technical difficulties, said Robert Cullick of Austin Energy.

Austin resident O.T. Greer saw his water bill spike from $21 in August to $214 in September. His neighbors noticed similar patterns on their utility bills, and they organized to contact the City. Austin City Council Member Ellen Troxclair asked residents to contact her if they, too, find discrepancies on utility bills.

The Council Member noted that ongoing issues make it difficult for customers to trust that their bills are accurate.

“Audits have found that we have had issues with meter reading and of course there’s human error,” Troxclair said.

The city estimates about 7,400 customers were impacted by the misreads in August and September, with customers paying more across the two-month period than if the usage had been equally spread across the months.

An investigation into the problem showed that misreads were clustered on 135 out of 1,080 meter-reading routes.

The more than 7,000 Austin utility customers whose summer utility bill anomalies were determined to be related to incorrect meter readings will receive credits on water bills. Another 700 customers who had higher September bills compared to previous years may qualify for an additional High Bill Administrative Adjustment.

Customer credits average $20 and do not exceed $80 in most cases. Credits can be expected around mid-March. The total credit due to misreads will cost the city around $138,000, the city says.

Meter readers are now required to take photographs of each meter read. Although this process takes more time and money, the city has determined it is “necessary to create a visual record of each meter read.”

There you go.  Remember when you need your irrigation system inspected or repaired, South Austin Irrigation is the company to call at (512) 534-7449.

Filed Under: City of Austin Information Tagged With: water meter, Water news

Austin Water Conservation Restrictions for Summer 2017

April 13, 2017 By Matt Sorenson

Summer is now on the horizon. But an abundant water supply doesn’t mean that Austin has water to waste. Mindful of such factors as climate change and an exploding population, city officials have called for Conservation Stage water restrictions. Put into place last May, they will continue to remain in effect indefinitely.

Here’s what this will mean over the coming months:

Residential customers

If you use hose-end sprinklers, you can water lawns and gardens twice per week, between the hours of midnight and 10AM and/or 7PM to midnight. Your days to water are Thursday and Sunday if you have an even address and Wednesday and Saturday if you have an odd one.

You can use an automated irrigation system once per week between the same hours on either a Thursday or a Wednesday, depending on whether you have an even or odd address number.

If you water using drip irrigation, soaker hose or automatic tree bubbler, or use a hand-held hose or refillable container, you can do so on any day of the week at any time of the day. Austin Water Utility also permits pressure washing on areas such as a sidewalk, driveway or deck patio.

Commercial customers

If you own commercial property, you can water using hose-end sprinklers or automatic units just one time per week, between midnight and 10AM and/or 7PM to midnight. Austin Water Utility (AWU) has designated Tuesday as watering day for even-numbered addresses and Friday for odd-numbered ones.

All Austinites

Water waste is prohibited if it results from:
1. failure to fix leaks
2. using broken or misaligned sprinkler heads
3. letting water run for more than 50 feet or pond to a depth greater than ¼ inch on the street or other impervious surface

Washing a vehicle is fine, so long as you do it using an auto shut-off hose or bucket. Holding a charity carwash is fine. But you can only do so at a commercial carwash, the equipment of which must meet all efficiency standards. Any fountains you own must recirculate water. And if you use misters on your commercial property, you can only use them between the hours of 4PM and 12AM.

South Austin Irrigation is dedicated to preserving our most precious natural resource. Whether you need repairs for an existing irrigation system or an entirely new one for your residential or commercial property, we have what you are looking for. Contact South Austin Irrigation at (512) 534-7449 for sales and service more Austinites trust.

 

Filed Under: City of Austin Information, Seasonal Tagged With: Irrigation system maintenance Austin, Irrigation system water conservation, Sprinkler maintenance Austin, water conservation tips, Water conservation watering lawns, Water news, water restrictions

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Important message:
South Austin Irrigation is very mindful of the health and safety of its customers and employees and we are taking all possible precautions against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
For customers practicing self-isolation or social distancing, please be assured that we will perform repairs and adjustments to your sprinkler system at a safe distance and without the need for close contact.

Our Services Include:

  • Consultation
  • Main and Lateral Line Repairs
  • Pop-up and Rotor Replacement
  • Broken PVC and Copper Pipe Repairs
  • Electrical Troubleshooting
  • System Leaks
  • Backflow Replacement and Installation
  • Valve Locating Repair and Replacement
  • Reroutes for Mature Trees and Patio Additions
  • Controller Replacement and Upgrades
  • Water Conservation by System Upgrade
  • Custom Scheduling
  • Drainage Repair & Maintenance
  • Lawn Irrigation System Adjustments
  • Sprinkler Head Replacement
  • Underground Sprinkler Weatherization
  • Unclog and Adjust Heads and Nozzles
South Austin Irrigation

Google Reviews

South Austin Irrigation, LLC
South Austin Irrigation, LLC
5.0
Based on 19 reviews
See all reviewsWrite a review
Ed Burgess
Ed Burgess
16:09 18 Aug 20
Most excellent work! These... guys know their stuff, and take the time to make sure the work is done right. Very professional and conscientious!read more
Russ Brown
Russ Brown
00:06 15 Jul 20
On time, efficient, quality... work at a reasonable price. Highly recommend.read more
Becca Friedman
Becca Friedman
14:22 12 May 20
I've been waiting to write... this review for far too long. I wanted to do it justice. Still worried it won't be good enough ;)I saw the stellar reviews for South Austin Irrigation and with a mystery leak on my hands, really wanted the best. So I gave them a call. Matt promptly responded, listened to my issue, set solid expectations, and then sent Dave to my home.Dave arrived on time (early, if i recall) with the biggest smile on his face. I knew it was going to be a good visit. Dave was straightforward, no bs, and fun to talk to. He helped me understand my system, pointed out things I could do to improve it if I wanted, but never over-sold. He was honest about what the return on investment could be, and helped identify the cause of the massive water loss experienced (glitch or incidental adjustment of the system).My water bills were immediately back on track after that visit, and I had a plan for the future. But more than anything, I'd had a great time learning about something I never thought I'd ever enjoy - irrigation. And I feel like I've made a friend in the process. I trust South Austin Irrigation. That's hard to say about home service. You should too.Now if only they weren't so good at their jobs I'd have a reason to call on them. Can you teach other businesses how to operate? lolThanks again Matt and Dave. Really spectacular service. I recommend you to all my friends.read more
John Boozer
John Boozer
00:52 05 Feb 20
First time working with Matt... today and couldn't be more impressed! He is very knowledgeable and helpful, and not only took care of the problem I had, but also gave me lots of helpful tips to prevent further problems. I'll definitely be referring Matt to anyone I know that needs help with their sprinkler systems. Thanks Matt!read more
Ben Schreiber
Ben Schreiber
22:04 01 Dec 19
Nathan Erwin
Nathan Erwin
23:14 15 Oct 19
Dave came out to provide an... evaluation since someone (me) ruined the drip line in the front of our house when aerifying. It didn't take him but a few seconds to know it was going to need to be replaced. The other 59 minutes he taught and walked me through everything I didn't know about my irrigation system, which was a lot. I would recommend SAI to anyone who wants to better understand how their system works or has an issue that needs to be addressed.read more
Karen Shah
Karen Shah
21:44 15 Oct 19
Dave did an excellent job not... only replacing a control valve but thoroughly explaining and showing me the issue. He was super quick to respond, coming out within an hour and a half of my call. Reasonable price, fast, friendly - couldn't ask for more. Highly recommended!read more
Lee Polson
Lee Polson
22:47 29 Aug 19
On time, friendly and... inexpensive.read more
Jackie Jason Sabella Roche
Jackie Jason Sabella Roche
16:52 27 Aug 19
Highly recommend South Austin... Irrigation. Matt did an excellent job replacing our sprinkler system’s control panel. He made sure everything worked properly, and he spent time explaining the settings on the panel. He also quickly replaced a broken line in a flower bed. We hope we don’t have issues with our system in the future, but if we do, we will not hesitate to use them again.read more
Allan Hawkins
Allan Hawkins
18:08 31 Jul 19
I’ve known Matt and his team... for at least 5 years. He’s done multiple projects at 2 of my homes. He has always been reliable, honest, and knowledgeable. He will walk you through your issue and discuss options without up-selling. If you have an irrigation need, and you can squeeze into his schedule, he is a great choice.read more
Cue Boykin
Cue Boykin
17:01 22 Jan 19
I've used Matt at South... Austin Irrigation for years. Matt is knowledgeable, efficient, courteous, prompt, and reasonable. South Austin is my one-stop shop for all my irrigation needs.read more
Jeff Roberts
Jeff Roberts
22:33 10 Dec 18
Just had Matt out to work on... a customer's sprinkler system that one of our driver's accidentally broke. Matt was incredibly capable and had every tool-of-the-trade imaginable. The troubleshooting and work was completed swiftly, and the price was very reasonable. I will definitely be using South Austin Irrigation in the future and highly recommend them for any sprinkler system maintenance needs.read more
Phil Evans
Phil Evans
18:00 20 Aug 18
Thorough in sprinkler repair.
John Land
John Land
20:17 02 Jun 18
Excellent Service - I have... been using Matt and his company South Austin Irrigation for the last 6 or 7 years and could not be happier with his service. He is courteous, communicates well and has a great attitude and sense of humor. Matt is the best at what he does. He explains his work and advises well with providing the pros and cons with budget in mind. I wish that everyone I hire to perform services at my home were as good as Matt is, he sets a high bar of excellence.read more
Philip Watts
Philip Watts
05:55 11 Feb 18
In a recent long freeze our... sprinkler system suffered from a burst. I switched off the irrigation water and called Matt from South Austin Irrigation. He came out pretty quickly, investigated the problem and talked over how to fix it, how to winterize it in future, and answered other questions I had. He was very knowledgeable and helpful, and fixed the system after ordering a part. I am very happy with South Austin Irrigation's work and employees that I dealt with. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who needs their services.read more
Joan Jackson
Joan Jackson
13:52 08 Oct 17
Excellent, quality work. ... Matt, the owner, is reliable and explain all charges clearly, with options for how to repair.read more
Emanuel Saba
Emanuel Saba
21:22 02 Mar 17
I've worked with Matt on a... few different occasions and every time he has been extremely professional, timely and most importantly does it right. He really knows the business. His work lasts and is done right. Highly recommend for anyone needing any type of irrigation repair, adding lines, fixing leaks, etc...he does it all!read more
David T
David T
03:17 16 Oct 16
Matt with South Austin... Irrigation has been my go-to irrigation company for many changes we've made to our yard over the last 4 years. We've done extensive rock work throughout the front and back yards (which required major irrigation changes); converted an entire zone of our irrigation system to a low-pressure drip irrigation system for my 1000 sq ft "in-ground" garden, plus a recent drainage project to top it off.My experiences with South Austin Irrigation have always been good - Matt is professional and punctual, and has always known what to do to solve the issues I've thrown at him. I was using other companies before I found him, so I can say that his rates are very competitive as well.Matt is a good communicator and doesn't mind taking time to explain the reasons for doing something one way or another, and then letting you make an informed decision about how you want to handle it. Of course, if you'd rather just stay out of it and let him make the decisions (I'm too curious for that!), he's more than capable of doing that as well.read more
Raymond Loren Naylor
Raymond Loren Naylor
14:56 02 Jan 12
Knowledgeable service... technician. Work performed a quickly and efficiently. Pleased with ovaerall experience. Even helped understand importance of wartering timing.read more
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Our sprinkler repair service areas include:

  • Austin, TX
  • Lakeway, TX
  • Spicewood, TX
  • Horseshoe Bay, TX
  • Dripping Springs, TX
  • Wimberly, TX

Give us a call for sprinkler repair and service in your area: (512) 534-7449

We Service Many Irrigation Brands:

  • Toro
  • Nelson Turf
  • KRain
  • HydroRain
  • Berkeley
  • Irritrol
  • Rain Bird
  • Rachio
  • Hunter

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