Colorado is in active drought conditions in 2026, and 99% of the sprinkler systems we evaluated last year had measurable inefficiencies. A free Slow the Flow sprinkler evaluation through Resource Central is the fastest way to find out if yours is one of them, and to fix it before peak summer watering drives up your bill.
During the heat of summer, especially in a drought, keeping your yard healthy while watering wisely can be a challenge. Resource Central’s free Slow the Flow sprinkler evaluations help Coloradans use outdoor water more efficiently, reduce water waste, and make every drop count.
Why Now Is the Right Time to Act
Colorado is experiencing another challenging water year. Snowpack was historically low, and drought restrictions have been issued across the Front Range, including the Denver metro area. At the same time, julio is Smart Irrigation Month, when outdoor watering is at its peak. Because irrigation accounts for about half of the water used at a typical single-family Colorado home, even small changes to your sprinkler system can make a meaningful difference for both your water bill and local water conservation efforts.
Why Mid-Season Is a Great Time to Audit
An irrigation audit now, in the middle of the season, is where small changes can produce the biggest savings. Join the interest list at resourcecentral.org/sprinklers to get on the schedule while appointments are available.
What Happens During a Free Slow the Flow Sprinkler Evaluation
A trained Resource Central technician spends about 75 minutes at your home, walking your yard, and testing the system zone by zone.
Visual Inspection of Every Zone
We look for broken or tilted heads, overspray onto sidewalks and driveways, coverage gaps, clogged nozzles, and problems most homeowners can’t easily identify.
Catch-Cup Test
We set out small blue cups across a zone to measure two things: precipitation rate (how fast your system puts water down) and distribution uniformity (how evenly it lands). Both numbers tell us whether you’re overwatering, underwatering, or watering unevenly. We’ll enter these numbers into our Slow the Flow app to help create your custom schedule and report.
Soil Moisture Sampling
A soil probe confirms what your lawn actually needs, how deeply the roots are being watered, and the moisture saturation. This is often the moment a homeowner realizes they’ve been watering more than necessary.
A Customized Watering Schedule
You’ll be given a written schedule built for your specific zones, head types, soil, and sun exposure, with seasonal adjustments so agosto isn’t running on junio’s settings. You keep the report and the schedule at the end of the appointment. See the full breakdown on the residential sprinkler evaluation page.
The Numbers Behind the Program
Resource Central’s Slow the Flow has been running since 2004, and here’s what our technicians have measured in the field:
- 99% of residential systems we evaluated in 2025 had inefficiencies the homeowner didn’t know about.
- 5,000 gallons per season is the average water savings for a participant who follows the recommendations.
- We completed 2,441 residential evaluations in 2025 alone.
- The program has saved 23,660,000 gallons across all Slow the Flow consultations since it began.
For an average Colorado household using 50,000+ gallons over the summer, and 5,000 gallons in savings helps both Colorado’s water conservation and your wallet — it’s a win-win. More program results are on our impact page.
What the Evaluation Delivers
During the Slow the Flow appointment, a trained Resource Central technician will visually inspect your sprinkler system, sample the soil for moisture, create a customized watering schedule based on your landscape’s needs, and provide a detailed report with practical recommendations to improve irrigation efficiency and reduce water waste.
If you have a single-family home with an in-ground sprinkler system, you may be eligible for a free on-site Slow the Flow sprinkler evaluation through your participating water provider.
Smart Irrigation Upgrades for Qualifying Homes
For qualifying homes in partnering water providers and municipalities, Slow the Flow also offers smart controller and rain sensor installation.
Controladores inteligentes
A smart irrigation system controller uses local weather data and adjusts run times automatically, so your yard isn’t getting watered after a thunderstorm.
Rain Sensors
Rain sensors do the simpler version of the same job: they shut the system off when it’s raining and keep it off until the ground dries out.
In some partnering water providers, these services are available at little to no cost to eligible participants, compounding the savings from the evaluation itself. Check eligibility for your address at ResourceCentral.org/sprinklers/smartcontrollers/.
Nuestros socios
Resource Central has partnered with more than 40 Colorado water providers to offer free Slow the Flow sprinkler evaluations. Thanks to the enthusiastic response this season, appointments have filled quickly, with appointments remaining in select communities.
If your water provider is listed below, now is a great time to join the interest list while appointments are available during the 2026 season. If your water provider isn’t listed, you can join the interest list to be notified when appointments become available in your area next season.
- Castle Pines North Metropolitan District
- Cottonwood Water & Sanitation District
East Larimer County Water District- Servicios Públicos de Fort Collins
- Ciudad de Golden
- Distrito de Aguas de Little Thompson
- Ciudad de Longmont
- Servicio de Agua y Electricidad de Loveland
- Pinery Water & Wastewater District
- Municipio de Wellington
- Ciudad de Westminster
- Willows Water District
Not sure if your provider qualifies? Use the eligibility checker at resourcecentral.org/sprinklers. The interest list also captures future notifications if appointments open up in your area later in the season.
With julio being peak watering season and Smart Irrigation Month, it is the perfect time to make sure your sprinkler system is watering efficiently and not wasting water. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis through late summer. Visit resourcecentral.org/sprinklers to check your eligibility, learn more about the program, and join the interest list to request an appointment.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is the Slow the Flow sprinkler evaluation really free?
Yes. The evaluation is fully funded by participating water providers, so there’s no cost to eligible homeowners.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
Eligibility depends on your water provider and whether you have a single-family home with an in-ground sprinkler system. Check your address at Resourcecentral.org/sprinklers.
How long does the evaluation take?
About 75 minutes on site. Our technician will walk around your yard, run their tests, and they’ll share a written schedule and report the same day.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
Make sure your irrigation controller is accessible and, if you can, know where your zones cover. That helps us move faster and spend more time on the parts of the system that matter most.
What if my water provider isn’t on the list?
Join the interest list anyway. We’ll notify you if appointments open in your area, and the list also helps us show demand to potential new partner utilities.
More Ways to Save Water This Summer
Go further than sprinkler efficiency with these additional programs. The Lawn Replacement program is for homeowners ready to reduce grass and the water bill that comes with it. Garden In A Box offer pre-planned, low-water plant kits designed for Colorado yards. Waterwise Yard Seminars are free classes on outdoor water conservation and landscape planning for anyone who wants to learn more before taking the next step.
Para los medios de comunicación
For local media, please click the thumbnails below to download a high-resolution photograph. Photo courtesy of Resource Central.
