How and why sprayheads are becoming more efficient.

“If it’s not broken, why fix it?” may be the mantra for many landscape and irrigation contractors, but the industry and many clients are changing. Water conservation is a top priority across the country, so it’s important for professionals to update their practices to meet new standards and expectations.

Irrigation manufacturers are also changing their products with efficiency at the forefront. They are designing components like sprayheads to better manage water output with elements like pressure regulators and check valves.

Here’s a look at what’s driving sprayhead trends, how they’ve advanced and what landscapers can expect to see with these products in the next few years.

What’s behind updates?

California, in particular, is under pressure to cut back on water use, but conservation is a hot topic across the country.

“It’s all about water efficiency and conservation,” says Orion Goe, product marketing manager for residential and commercial irrigation at The Toro Co. “Our focus is on looking for products that deliver the same level of performance—but by optimizing the use of water. We want to use less water without starving the landscape of water.”

Water restrictions, regulations and conservation efforts are spreading across the nation, so the need for more efficient irrigation is the driving force behind product updates and new technology.

“Most innovations we’re seeing in the irrigation industry are related to water conservation,” says Massey Services’ V.P. of quality assurance Adam Jones. “It’s the natural evolution of the need, whether it be the control systems or the equipment itself. It’s going to be a continuing trend going forward.”

Orlando-based Massey Services offers pest prevention, lawn care and irrigation services for residential and commercial customers. The company had $178 million in 2014 revenue.

Under pressure

One way sprayheads are evolving is by incorporating pressure regulators. In fact, pressure regulation is the main advancement with sprayheads Patrick Hibbs sees. He’s product manager of spray bodies and nozzles for Rain Bird. Sprayheads are now available with in-stem pressure regulators, which ensure all the heads are applying water at the desired pressure, instead of having to use the city’s standard water pressure.

“Instead of needing to install pressure-regulating systems in the sprayheads yourself, more manufacturers are offering that option already included in the heads,” says Kurt Thompson, technical and training director of irrigation for Massey Services. “The technology is there now.”

Being able to regulate pressure can mean savings for the client. For example, each 5-psi reduction in pressure reduces water use by 6 to 8 percent, according to Rain Bird.

“The focus on water efficiency has created a need for reducing water wasted to misting, drainage and runoff, as well as overwatering due to a lack of uniformity,” says Kelsey Jacquard, product manager of MP Rotators and sprays at Hunter Industries. “Pressure regulation in the sprayhead allows for the optimal operating pressure at the nozzle, increasing uniformity and significantly reducing overthrow and misting.”

Some municipalities are even requiring irrigation systems to have pressure regulators, Jones adds.

Prevent water loss

Irrigation installers can further increase sprayhead efficiency by using ones with check valves, which are also becoming standard. “The added check valve eliminates unnecessary drainage from the head,” Jacquard says.

Check valves are especially useful if the sprayheads are damaged. The shut-off devices limit the amount of water lost and keep the rest of the system working properly, Goe says.

Jones agrees.

“A lot of the problems we see with spray nozzles are that if they stay up, they tend to get broken off, which can lead to a lot of water waste, especially on commercial sites,” he says. “But if you have pressure regulators with check valves, you’ll have less water lost.”

Sustainable sources

There are other sprayhead advancements designed for water efficiency. For example, some products are changing to work better with different water sources.

More property managers are turning to reclaimed and graywater to conserve resources. Manufacturers are creating more robust spray bodies and heads to handle those types of water, Hibbs says.

Other professionals also have noticed updates beyond the sprayhead. “Most of the advancements in sprayhead technology have come from the different types of nozzles now available,” says Todd Wilson, irrigation manager at Native Land Design in Cedar Park, Texas. Wilson says the MP Rotator nozzle and system monitoring options have made a big impact for him. Wilson works in the company’s Houston branch. The $11 million, full-service company also has a location in McAllen, Texas.

What’s to come?

Creating water-efficient sprayheads will remain on manufacturers’ agendas, Jacquard says. These updates save customers money and conserve water, two selling factors for contractors.

While installers can purchase pressure-regulating sprayheads with set psi levels, regulators with some level of customization or adjustability may be available in the future, Goe says.

There also will be a continued focus on the benefits of efficient products, such as high-efficiency nozzles. With manufacturers continuing to release more efficient components and products, Goe says it’s important for users to become more educated on the new options going forward.

Photo: Hunter Industries (top), Rain Bird (bottom)