How an Irrigation Audit Saves Water and Money

If your water bill is high but you're not sure why, an irrigation audit is the answer. It's a systematic evaluation of your sprinkler system that pinpoints exactly where water is being wasted — and how to fix it. Here's what an irrigation audit involves.

What an audit checks

A thorough audit evaluates the whole system:

• Coverage and uniformity: using catch-cups to measure how evenly each zone applies water.
• Pressure: checking for over- or under-pressure that causes misting or weak spray.
• Leaks and broken components: heads, valves, and lines.
• Controller programming: whether schedules match plant and seasonal needs.
• Run times and precipitation rate: calculating how long each zone really needs to run.

The catch-cup test

A key part of an audit, the catch-cup test places containers across a zone and measures the water each collects after a set run. This reveals uneven coverage and the zone's actual application rate — the data needed to set efficient, accurate run times.

What you get from it

An audit produces specific recommendations: repairs to make, schedule adjustments, and efficiency upgrades like drip conversion or a smart controller. The result is lower water bills, healthier plants, and a system tuned to your yard. Many water districts even offer free or rebated audits.

Worth it for most yards

For anyone with an older or larger system, or an unexplained bill, an audit pays for itself quickly. Our water management team performs detailed irrigation audits across the Inland Empire.

Frequently asked questions

What is an irrigation audit?

A systematic test of your sprinkler system's coverage, pressure, and scheduling that identifies waste and the fixes to save water.

Are irrigation audits free?

Some Southern California water districts offer free or rebated audits — check your provider, or have a contractor perform one.

Arbol Roble has cared for Inland Empire landscapes since 1997, serving Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, Eastvale, Corona and Riverside. Request a free quote or browse our residential and commercial services.