Spring Irrigation Startup: Avoiding Leaks, Breaks, and Overwatering

HCMUD 0712026-03-11T15:06:51-05:00March 11, 2026|

As temperatures warm and landscapes begin to spring back to life, many residents begin turning their irrigation systems back on after winter. Starting up a sprinkler system carefully in the spring helps prevent broken lines, wasted water, and unexpectedly high water bills.

Before turning on your irrigation system, take time to inspect it. Walk your yard and look for damaged or misaligned sprinkler heads, cracked pipes, or loose fittings. Winter temperature changes and lawn equipment can shift or damage components, making leaks more likely when the system is pressurized. Replace damaged heads and tighten fittings before running the system at full pressure.

When restoring water to the system, turn it on slowly. Opening the valve too quickly can cause sudden pressure changes that lead to cracked pipes or fittings. Once water is flowing, run each zone briefly and watch for signs of leaks, pooling water, or spray hitting sidewalks and driveways instead of landscape areas.

Proper scheduling is just as important as checking for leaks. Spring weather in Katy often includes regular rainfall, which means lawns usually require less supplemental watering than in summer. Adjust your controller run times accordingly and avoid watering on days when rain is expected. Early morning watering is most efficient and helps reduce evaporation.

It is also a good time to review your irrigation controller settings. Make sure seasonal adjustments are active, as many systems allow for easy run time reductions during cooler months, which helps prevent overwatering and runoff.

Overwatering does more than just waste water. It can weaken grass roots, promote disease, and cause water to run into streets and storm drains instead of soaking into the soil. Keeping irrigation cycles short and targeted helps landscapes stay healthy while conserving water.

If you notice unusually high water usage after starting your irrigation system, or if leaks persist after basic repairs, it may be time to contact a licensed irrigation professional. Addressing small issues early can prevent larger problems later in the season.

A careful spring irrigation startup sets the foundation for efficient water all year long. By checking your system, adjusting schedules, and watering wisely, residents can protect their landscapes while using water responsibly.

Why You Shouldn’t Throw Yard Waste and Trash in Drainage Ditches and Storm Drains

HCMUD 0712026-03-04T12:37:06-06:00March 4, 2026|

Storm drains and drainage ditches in HCMUD 71 are designed to carry rainwater runoff, not trash or yard debris. What many people don’t realize is that these systems flow directly into our lakes, detention ponds, and local bayous without treatment. That means anything dumped into a storm drain is carried straight into the water we share with our neighbors and local wildlife. This includes grass clippings, leaves, soil, mulch, fertilizer, household chemicals, motor oil, paint, litter, and other waste that should never enter the stormwater system. Even small amounts of pollution can have a big impact.

Trash and Yard Waste Pollute Our Lakes

When yard debris and other waste enter the storm system, they release harmful pollutants and excessive nutrients into the water that can lead to:

• Algae blooms, which rob water of oxygen and harm fish and aquatic life
• Elevated bacteria levels, increasing the risk of illness for people and animals
• Cloudy water, foul odors, and an overall decline in water quality
• Contaminated runoff, as fertilizers and pesticides cling to organic debris

These effects are especially noticeable in detention ponds and neighborhood lakes, where the water is relatively still. Polluted runoff harms the beauty, safety, and health of these shared spaces.

What You Can Do

• Keep yard waste out of the street and ditch areas
• Use a mulching mower or bag or bundle yard waste for proper disposal
• Avoid using chemicals before heavy rain, and store them properly to avoid spills
• After applying pesticides or fertilizer, sweep and collect any excess off hard surfaces, and water it into the soil
• Secure items intended for trash and recycling pickup

Everyone Has a Role

Clean water starts with small actions at home. By keeping trash, clippings, and chemicals out of the stormwater system, residents help preserve the health of our lakes and detention ponds. These natural features are part of what makes HCMUD 71 a great place to live. Protecting them is a shared responsibility, and it begins in our own yards.