The City of Twin Falls reminds residents and businesses that the pressurized irrigation season is coming to an end. The Twin Falls Canal Company will close its irrigation diversion gates at Milner Dam on Monday, October 19, ending seasonal water deliveries to its canal system.
As canal water becomes unavailable, the City shuts down and winterizes its canal-fed pressurized irrigation stations. Once a station is shut down, customers served by that station will not receive irrigation water until service resumes next spring. Residents can check their subdivision’s station status by visiting TFID.ORG and selecting “Pressurized Irrigation Update.”
Property owners should prepare now to winterize their sprinkler systems and prevent damage from freezing temperatures.
Prevent winter damage
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- Turn off your property’s PI valve. The valve connecting your sprinkler system to pressurized irrigation is generally located near the sidewalk. Keep it in the off position throughout winter and until your system is ready for use next spring.
- Turn off automatic watering programs. Set your sprinkler controller to its winter or off setting according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Remove remaining water from sprinkler lines. Closing the PI valve alone does not winterize your sprinkler system. Water left inside pipes, valves and sprinkler heads can freeze and cause damage.
- Schedule winterization now. A qualified irrigation professional can determine the appropriate winterization method for your system, including whether sprinkler lines should be blown out.
Winterizing your home’s sprinkler system
The City maintains its pressurized irrigation pump stations and distribution system. Property owners are responsible for maintaining their filters and sprinkler systems after the first shutoff valve. The City’s seasonal shutdown does not winterize individual properties’ sprinkler systems. Residents and businesses should arrange winterization before freezing temperatures arrive and use the opportunity to identify damaged sprinkler heads, leaking valves or other repairs needed before the next irrigation season.
About pressurized irrigation
The City of Twin Falls’ canal-fed pressurized irrigation system reduces demand on the aquifer’s limited water supply by more than 5 million gallons per day during the summer months, by using canal water to irrigate lawns and landscaping. Pressurized irrigation water comes from an open canal system, is untreated and is not safe to drink. For more information and subdivision station updates, please visit TFID.ORG.
