As we are heading into the warmest months of the irrigation season, the July edition of our newsletter will be focused on providing you with smart water-management minded information for your irrigation system. Please read the important information below for seasonal watering best practices, reminders on system performance inspections, information on the Irrigation Association, and a shoutout to the Lake Minnetonka Wakesurf Open that WIS is proud to be a sponsor for in 2026.
SEASONAL WATER MANAGEMENT
July and August are typically the hottest summer months in Minnesota. As Minnesotans, we all try to take advantage of the warm weather while we still can, but the scorching summer heat can take a toll on your lawn. UV radiation from the sun can damage your lawn in the same way that it causes sunburn in humans. One of the main issues caused by too much sun is the excessive evaporation of moisture from the soil, leading to dehydration and stress on the grass. Extreme heat stress can reduce the efficiency of grass for photosynthetic and transpiration processes. If these processes are inhibited, the development of grass roots will be negatively affected.
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY GRASS?
– Watering Settings: When it comes to seasonal settings for your controller, timing is everything. When setting your controller programing, it is important to consider the time of day your are watering, how often you are watering, and the duration that you are watering for. Water your lawn in the morning to allow the water to soak thoroughly into the ground and help prevent evaporation of the water during the hottest periods of the day. Generally, turf grasses need about 3/4″ – 1″ of water per week.
– Lawn Mowing:Avoid cutting the grass too short or too often as this can encourage drying out. Longer grass promotes deeper root growth, resulting in a more drought-resistant lawn, reduced evaporation, and fewer weeds. The perfect mowing height typically depends on the type of grass that you have. If you have a lawn care provider, we recommend consulting them for your lawn specifics.
– Smart Upgrades: Upgrading to an irrigation smart-controller and/or installing a wireless rain sensor takes the guesswork out of watering and will automatically adjust the watering schedule based on weather conditions for your location.
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE INSPECTIONS
Per the Environmental Protection Agency, did you know that just one broken or missing sprinkler component could waste as much as 1,000 gallons of water per week?
Routine/consistent inspection of your system helps maintain proper operation. Maintaining irrigation systems to like-new condition is paramount for the success of water-management programming.
ITEMS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
– LEAKS
- Can occur at irrigation valves, connection points, joints, and sprinkler heads or drip irrigation lines. Keep an eye out for water pooling on the surface or water spraying where it shouldn’t be.
– BROKEN/MISSING SPRINKLERS
- Pedestrians or vehicles/machinery can damage irrigation components. Keep an eye out for missing sprinklers, heads that do not pop up fully, and drip lines that have been cut or moved out of place.
– SPRINKLER ADJUSTMENTS
- As the seasons change, your sprinkler heads may need to be adjusted for proper coverage. Keep an eye out for sprinklers pointed towards walls or hardscapes or heads that miss the landscape and waste water.
– MISTING
- High pressure can cause misting that is easily blown away by wind and miss the intended watering area. Keep an eye out for a fine mist coming from sprinklers.
– OVERWATERING/UNDERWATERING
- Your controller programming should be updated for current seasonal conditions. Keep an eye out for pooling water or runoff after irrigation, or any dry spots in your turf or landscape areas.
WIS is in the process of completing July System Performance Inspections (SPI) for the clients that opted to have a July SPI completed for their irrigation system. The SPI service includes inspection of system operation and coverage, inspection of rain/weather sensor, inspection of pump operation (if applicable), and programming of the controller for current seasonal conditions. If you aren’t checking your irrigation system/updating your controller programming based on the current seasonal conditions, who is? If you are interested in having an SPI completed for your property, please reach out to our office via email at info@westirrigation.com.
IRRIGATION ASSOCIATION
Did you know that West Irrigation Services, Inc. is a member of the Irrigation Association (IA)?
The IA is the leading membership organization for irrigation equipment and system manufacturers, dealers, distributors, designers, consultants, contractors and end users. The IA celebrates the month of July as Smart Irrigation Month. This month highlights the social, economic, and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation products and services. The irrigation industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy exceeds $30 billion in economic output and supports over 200,000 jobs—driving innovation in water efficiency, advancing smart irrigation technologies and helping communities meet the growing demands of sustainable landscape and agricultural management.
WIS is proud to be a member of the IA and continues to guide our decisions every day based on smart and efficient irrigation practices. Join us in making an impact by committing to promoting smart irrigation solutions that save water and support sustainable practices. Thank you for considering our guidance for water-management minded solutions.
LAKE MINNETONKA WAKESURF OPEN 2026
WIS is proud to be a sponsor for the 2026 Lake Minnetonka Wakesurf Open!
Partnered with the Spirit of the Lakes Festival, the Lake Minnetonka Wakesurf Open is a grassroots wake surfing contest with an emphasis on fun. Surfers will compete in front of thousands on the shores of Surfside Park and on their boats in Cook’s Bay. In addition to a live wake surfing event, expect a booth market, live music, kids activities, food trucks, a parade, and the biggest fireworks show of the summer on Lake Minnetonka.
West Irrigation Services, Inc. will have a booth setup in the market area. Stop by and say hi to us, we would love to see you there!
July 18th, 2026 – Surfside Park
2670 Commerce Blvd, Mound, MN 55364