Water-Efficient Irrigation

About this service

We design and install smart, efficient irrigation systems, including gridded in-line drip, suitable for small farms, orchards, large garden beds, and native landscapes. Our QWEL certification ensures optimal water conservation and plant health, even for lawn conversions. These systems deliver precise water application while minimizing waste, supporting healthy plant growth while conserving this precious resource.

San Francisco conditions

San Francisco's water is among the most expensive in California, and the city's microclimates make uniform watering a waste — a foggy Outer Sunset bed needs a fraction of the water a sunny, wind-protected Mission garden does. We design drip systems zoned by microclimate and plant type, with smart controllers that adjust automatically. Drip irrigation also qualifies under SFPUC's water-efficiency programs for many turf conversion and landscape projects, and we can help you check current rebate availability before you build.

What to expect

  • Mapping your garden into hydrozones based on sun, soil, and plant water needs
  • Installing gridded in-line drip, pressure regulation, and filtration sized to your beds
  • Programming a smart or weather-based controller matched to each zone
  • Converting existing spray zones to drip where it makes sense
  • A walkthrough showing you how to adjust and maintain the system seasonally

Common questions about water-efficient irrigation

How much water does drip irrigation save?

Drip delivers water directly to the root zone with almost no evaporation or overspray, so gardens typically use significantly less water than spray systems. Exact savings depend on what you're replacing, your soil, and your plants — sandy Sunset soils drain fast and benefit most from slow, targeted drip.

Can you convert my existing sprinklers to drip?

In most cases, yes. We retrofit existing irrigation lines with drip conversion fittings, cap or remove spray heads, and rezone the controller. This is one of the most cost-effective water upgrades for an established San Francisco garden.

Are there rebates for irrigation upgrades in San Francisco?

SFPUC has offered rebates for water-efficient landscape and irrigation equipment, and turf conversion projects often qualify. Programs change over time, so we help you check what's currently available and make sure your project meets the requirements.

Do native and drought-tolerant gardens need irrigation at all?

Yes, at least for the first one to two years while roots establish. After that, many California native gardens in San Francisco's fog belt need little or no summer water. We design systems that can be scaled back or partially retired as the garden matures.

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