How New Irrigation Technology Ensures Water Conservation in Idaho

It’s easy to take water for granted. You turn on the faucet, and there it is.

But water here in Idaho Falls, like in many places, is becoming scarcer. Maybe you’ve noticed your city sharing water-saving tips, like using smart irrigation systems and landscaping with native plants that require little water.

The latest Idaho Falls water-saving strategy: water restrictions have changed how Idaho developers can install lawn irrigation in new developments.

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• What's the Significance of Variable Frequency Drives in Irrigation?

• So, What Exactly Is a VFD Pump?

• VFD vs. Traditional Irrigation Pumps: What's the Difference?

• What’s an Irrigation “Soft Start” and Why Does It Matter?

• Why Does Idaho Falls Require VFDs in New Subdivision Irrigation?

• How Do VFD Pump Stations Help with Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Recharge?

• You Need a VFD: Now What? Trust Outback Landscape in Idaho Falls

The biggest driver of water conservation in new irrigation systems is the use of Variable Frequency Drives (VFD). They may sound like a topic for a mechanical engineering class, but they are an advancement in irrigation technology with real water-saving potential.

Why are these variable frequency drives for Idaho developments such a hot topic of discussion? The biggest reason: they save precious water. They also reduce energy costs, decrease electrical system stress, and extend the life of an irrigation pump.

Let’s learn more about Variable Frequency Drive irrigation in Idaho Falls.

What's the Significance of Variable Frequency Drives in Irrigation?

Idaho Falls is transitioning new developments away from using city water for irrigation to protect the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer. (More on this really important water source in a bit.)

New subdivisions are now required to build secondary non-potable systems using surface water rights. (Quick explainer: Surface water rights are legal entitlements to use water from sources above ground, such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. These rights are governed by state law.)

Because canal water pressure varies and the city of Idaho Falls requires high efficiency, Variable Frequency Drives are becoming the standard requirement for these pump stations to ensure consistent pressure without wasting water or energy.

So, What Exactly Is a VFD Pump?

In basic terms, Variable Frequency Drives adjust the speed of the pump motor to match real-time water demand, saving energy.

VFDs allow pumps to run at lower speeds during low-demand periods, reducing energy usage and operational costs.

VFD vs. Traditional Irrigation Pumps: What's the Difference?

While Variable Frequency Drives adjust the pump motor speed to match demand, traditional fixed-speed pumps always operate at full capacity regardless of demand, wasting energy during periods of lower water need.

Instead of running at full speed constantly, pumps with Variable Frequency Drives use only the energy required by current irrigation demand. This pressure-regulated irrigation in Idaho Falls really optimizes efficiency.

There's less mechanical wear in a VFD pump system than in fixed-speed traditional pumps, too. (We’ll explain more about this in a bit.) This gentler operation extends the equipment lifespan and reduces the need for maintenance visits.

While traditional pumps have lower initial costs and simpler electronics, VFDs save water and money in the long run, despite their higher upfront costs.

When installed correctly, they can reduce energy costs, decrease electrical system stress, and extend a pump's life.

Because they’re so effective, many energy companies and governments encourage or require their use.

How Does a Variable Frequency Drive Save Water in Landscaping?

Variable Frequency Drives aren't another piece of equipment that complicates your lawn irrigation systems. This new technology is meant to increase efficiency, maintain healthy landscapes and, above all, save water. 

• Conventional pumps often run at maximum speed, creating high pressure that sprays water from sprinklers in a fine mist. This mist evaporates into the air instead of watering lawns and plants. VFDs reduce motor speed to deliver only the required pressure, minimizing misting waste.

• In irrigation systems with multiple zones, Variable Frequency Drives detect when fewer zones are running and reduce the pump speed accordingly, preventing excessive pressure on active zones.

• Consistent pressure makes sure that all sprinklers across the landscape receive the correct amount of water, avoiding waste. VFDs ensure consistent pressure for sprinklers and irrigation regardless of how many homes are using water simultaneously.

• By using "soft-starts” and "soft-stops,” VFDs eliminate pressure surges that often cause joints to leak and pipes to burst. This saves a ton of water.

What’s an Irrigation “Soft Start” and Why Does It Matter?

VFDs start and stop the motor smoothly, minimizing wear and tear on the pump and its components. This creates less mechanical stress compared to the abrupt starts and stops of fixed-speed pumps.

By providing "soft" starts and stops, VFDs prevent a phenomenon called “water hammer,” a sudden pressure surge that can damage pipes and fittings.

Why Does Idaho Falls Require VFDs in New Subdivision Irrigation?

As Idaho Falls continues to grow, water conservation becomes increasingly important.

Idaho Falls and the surrounding Treasure Valley have historically experienced dry summers and multiple droughts. Climate change is making water conservation efforts here even more important.

Idaho Falls gets much of its water from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, a large underground water source in southeastern Idaho. A vast expanse, covering approximately 10,800 square miles, it’s a major water source for southern Idaho.

But groundwater levels in parts of the aquifer have declined since the 1950s, leading to concerns about water availability.

The City of Idaho Falls has begun a concerted effort to reduce water waste, from installing water meter boxes on all new construction to encouraging homeowners to use water-saving appliances and practices.

Adopting energy-efficient solutions such as VFDs can help Idaho Falls conserve valuable groundwater and reduce water costs.

So Idaho Falls requires VFDs in new subdivision irrigation systems to save water, increase energy efficiency, maintain consistent water pressure, and reduce long-term pump maintenance costs.

How Do VFD Pump Stations Help with Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Recharge?

They help in a few important ways, including:

By precisely controlling water flow rates, these pumps help maximize the amount of water placed into the aquifer during periods when water is more available, including winter and spring.

Remember, VFDs allow pumps to operate at varying speeds to match the exact water demand.

This allows efficient, controlled delivery of surplus Snake River water into recharge sites.

What Are the Benefits of VFD Pumps for Commercial Irrigation?

Do you have a few hours? No? We’ll try to keep it short. VFD pumps are ideal for commercial irrigation because they make systems more efficient, flexible, and cost-effective.

Here’s how:

They offer energy efficiency. Remember, traditional pumps run at a constant speed, even when full power isn’t needed. A VFD adjusts the motor speed based on demand, which reduces energy consumption, avoids wasting electricity during low-demand periods and lowers utility bills over time.

VFDs offer precise water pressure control. This prevents overwatering or underwatering and ensures everything is watered evenly.

There’s reduced wear and tear on your system. Starting and stopping a traditional pump causes mechanical stress. But VFDs provide gentler “soft” starts and stops, which extend the lifespan of pumps, pipes, and valves. VFDs save water by delivering only the required flow and pressure.

Lower maintenance costs. Because a VFD system runs more smoothly, you have fewer breakdowns and repairs, less stress on seals, bearings, and joints, and reduced downtime for commercial operations.

Flexibility. VFD pumps adapt easily to changing irrigation needs. They can handle multiple zones with varying demands. And they’re easily integrated with automated irrigation controllers.

You Need a VFD: Now What? Trust Outback Landscape in Idaho Falls

Water is a valuable resource, and it isn’t unlimited.

We can protect our water resources in Idaho Falls by implementing smart irrigation strategies and water-wise landscaping, such as using native plants and xeriscaping. Let's work together on this effort.

At Outback Landscape, we’re specialists in building irrigation systems for new developments in Idaho Falls, uniquely positioned to install new-technology systems that meet low-water standards.

Do you have questions about VFDs and how new requirements affect you? Just ask.

Meanwhile, make sure you partner with knowledgeable experts who have the answers.

We serve residential and commercial properties in Idaho Falls, Rexburg, and Pocatello, Idaho; Bonneville, Madison, and Bannock counties; and Jackson Hole, WY. Call us at 208-656-3220 or schedule a no-obligation meeting with one of our team members. We can’t wait to hear from you.