Although the recent rains have prevented the necessity for turning on the sprinklers, warmer weather is approaching and it is important to prepare irrigation systems accordingly. A poorly maintained irrigation system prevents water from reaching its intended source and instead is lost to runoff, evaporation and deep watering below the root zone. Maintaining your irrigation system is one of the most effective ways to reduce wasted water, reduce pollution from run-off and over-irrigation, and improve plant health by applying the correct amount of water where it can be utilized by the landscape.