Your Irrigation System During Drought | UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County

May 15, 2026
By CoCoMG Helpdesk

Introduction

Contra Costa County has a Mediterranean climate characterized by long, hot, dry summers, and most landscape plants should be watered to survive under these conditions. We must learn how to use water more efficiently as demand rises and drought conditions continue.

Irrigation System Management

Check the Irrigation System

Check, adjust, and repair pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads to make sure there are no leaks and no water is being wasted. Correcting these problems can improve the uniformity of water application and reduce water waste by 10 percent or more. Move drip emitters away from the crowns, out to the dripline for trees and shrubs that have grown since the original irrigation was installed.

Upgrade Irrigation Equipment

Replace worn out irrigation system components and consider upgrading systems that are over 10 years old with new, higher efficiency components.

Convert sprinklers to in-line drip irrigation.
Replace conventional sprinkler nozzles with high-efficiency rotating or precision nozzles.
Replace traditional irrigation timers with weather-based models (smart controllers).
Install pressure regulators to improve system performance.

Rebates are available from the local water districts for upgrading irrigation equipment and installing Smart Controllers. For information, see the resources list at the end of this document.

Group Plants by Hydrozone

Group plants with the same water needs onto the same valve or line. For the water use requirements of different plants, see the UC document WUCOLS IV Water Use Classification of Landscape Species at https://ucanr.edu/sites/WUCOLS/ .

Water in the Early Morning

Water in the early morning when there is no wind and little evaporation.

Water According to Plant Needs and Soil Type

Check soil moisture (dig down or use a moisture meter) and water only when the soil is dry. Adjust irrigation frequency and run times to water plants as little as possible to keep them alive. Get used to plants that don’t look perfect.

The following links provide sample sprinkler and drip run times. After factoring in your climate, soil, plant type and sprinkler output, these can be used as a starting point. Gradually reduce water use by 10 percent increments over the course of a few weeks, giving plants time to adjust:

Contra Costa Water District Water Information and Sample Irrigation Schedules
http://www.contracosta.watersavingplants.com/Watering-Guide/Schedules.php
EBMUD publications & resources
https://www.ebmud.com/water/conservation-and-rebates/water-conservation-publications/

Avoid Runoff

Know your soil type and water to match the infiltration rate with your soil to avoid runoff. Irrigate more frequently with shorter runtimes for sandy soil, so that water is not wasted below the rooting depth. Irrigate less frequently but with longer runtimes for loam and clay soils. On slopes and areas with compacted soils, avoid water runoff by using multiple (cycled) start times (also called pulse irrigation) to allow water to soak in slowly. Adjust spray heads so that no water runs off onto sidewalks or into the street.

Alternative Water Sources

Capture Extra Water

Use buckets to capture water in sinks and tubs while waiting for the water to get warm and then use it to irrigate plants.

Collect Rainwater

Consider installing a rainwater catchment system or a rain garden to capture and direct rainwater for deep soil infiltration during the rainy season. Note that collected roof water may have contaminants and should not be used for overhead watering of food crops.

Consider a Greywater System

Greywater is untreated wastewater that is used for outdoor watering and is obtained from clothes washers, showers, bathtubs, bathroom sinks and laundry tubs.

In California, wastewater from toilets and kitchen sinks or dishwashers is not allowed. Greywater is an option for irrigating your ornamentals but it should not be used to water root vegetables or any vegetables whose plant parts come into contact with the soil due to the potential that human pathogens might be present. In addition, you must be careful to avoid using household products that add salt, boron or chlorine bleach to the soil. A permit may be required for certain greywater systems. Check with your local building department for greywater regulations.

Additional Drought Tips

Request a Water Audit

EBMUD and CCWD will perform free on-site home water surveys. They test showerhead and toilet flow rates and help locate leaks. The landscaping, irrigation system, and watering schedules are assessed. Recommendations are provided to improve water use efficiency. Repairing leaking faucets, toilets, pipes and valves can free up additional water for landscape use.