Insights into Efficient Irrigation of Urban Landscapes: Analysis Using Remote Sensing, Parcel Data, Water Use, and Tiered Rates

Kayson M. Shurtz, Emily Dicataldo, Robert B. Sowby and Gustavious P. Williams
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Kayson M. Shurtz: Hansen, Allen & Luce, Inc., 859 W. South Jordan Pkwy. Ste. 200, South Jordan, UT 84095, USA
Emily Dicataldo: Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Brigham Young University, EB 430, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Robert B. Sowby: Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Brigham Young University, EB 430, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Gustavious P. Williams: Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Brigham Young University, EB 430, Provo, UT 84602, USA

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: To understand how landscape irrigation can be better managed, we selected two urban irrigation systems in northern Utah, USA, and performed a statistical analysis of relationships among water use, irrigated area, plant health (based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), and water rate structures across thousands of parcels. Our approach combined remote sensing with 4-band imagery and on-site measurements from water meters. We present five key findings that can lead to more efficient irrigation practices. First, tiered water rates result in less water use when compared to flat water rates for comparable plant health. Second, plant health does not strictly increase with water application but has an optimum point beyond which further watering is not beneficial. Third, many water users irrigate beyond this optimum point, suggesting that there is water conservation potential without loss of aesthetics. Fourth, irrigation is not the only contributor to plant health, and other factors need more attention in research and in water conservation programs. Fifth, smaller irrigated areas correlate with higher water application rates, an observation that may inform future land use decisions. These findings are especially pertinent in responding to the current drought in the western United States.

Keywords: irrigation; tiered water rates; landscape; water use; remote sensing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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