Most commercial irrigation systems waste water for reasons nobody sees from the driveway: a broken head behind a hedge, a zone that runs at midnight during a rainy week, a controller still on last year's schedule. A commercial irrigation audit is a structured walk-through that finds those problems, puts a number on them and gives you a repair list in priority order.
What is a commercial irrigation audit?
An audit tests how the system actually performs against how it was designed to perform. A technician runs every zone, inspects heads, valves and controllers, measures how evenly water lands on the turf and beds, and compares scheduled run times with what the landscape needs. The output is a written report: what is broken, what is wasting water, and what to fix first.
How often should you run one?
At least once a year, ideally in spring after start-up and before the peak watering season. Run an additional audit after a major landscape change, a new construction phase or an unexplained jump in the water bill.
The 10 checks every commercial irrigation audit should cover
Controller programming: start times, run times, seasonal adjustment and rain-delay settings match current conditions.
Zone-by-zone run test: every zone starts, stops and covers its area.
Broken, clogged or tilted heads and nozzles.
Mismatched nozzles within a zone, which cause uneven coverage.
Overspray onto pavement, buildings and walkways.
Pressure at the head: too high causes misting, too low causes poor throw.
Valve leaks and weeping, seen as constantly wet spots or a zone that never fully shuts off.
Mainline leaks, often revealed by a flow reading when no zone should be running.
Rain and freeze sensors installed, wired and working.
Backflow preventer present, tested and tagged. Confirm the current testing requirement with your municipality.
Go beyond the walk-through with flow data
A walk-through finds what is visible. Flow monitoring finds the rest: continuous flow during off-hours, zones using more water than their baseline, and leaks you cannot see on the surface. That is why we pair audits with remote monitoring on the properties we manage. Learn more about our smart water management system and commercial irrigation services.
What a good audit report includes
A prioritized repair list with costs, estimated water savings, a corrected schedule for each zone and photos of every issue. If the report is a page of generic advice, it is not an audit.
Commercial irrigation audit FAQ
How long does an audit take?
A typical commercial site takes a few hours to a full day, depending on the number of zones.
Does the system need to be running?
Yes. The technician needs to run each zone, so schedule the audit during the irrigation season.
Who should perform it?
A qualified irrigation technician. Many municipal and utility programs recognize certified technicians and contractors.
What happens after the audit?
Fix the high-impact items first, such as leaks and controller schedules, then plan upgrades like smart controllers or drip conversion. See our smart irrigation guide.
Want an audit of your property? Call 888-444-1530 or book a consultation.