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Sprinkler system in action during an irrigation audit
EPA WaterSense CertifiedTexas A&M AgriLifeTCEQ LI0023963

Irrigation
Audit

Certified. Measured. Precise.

Commercial compliance audits for Allen TX and DFW businesses. Data-driven residential audits for homeowners. We measure exactly how much water each zone delivers — and build a schedule from that data.

Commercial AuditResidential Audit
“

When Allen audited its oldest commercial irrigation systems, 85% dropped water consumption — some by as much as 60%. Less than 1% had acceptable distribution uniformity before their first audit.

— City of Allen audit program, Ord. No. 2721-3-08

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✦EPA WaterSense Certified Auditor
✦TCEQ Licensed Irrigator LI0023963
✦Texas A&M AgriLife Certified
✦Allen TX Form Accepted
Required by Ordinance

Allen, TX Commercial Properties:
Audit Required Every 3 Years

Under Allen Land Development Code Sec. 7.05.6.6.b, all irrigation systems in non-single-family developments must be audited by a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor and results submitted to the city once every three years. This applies to all commercial water accounts — new and existing.

The ordinance was passed in March 2008 and has been in effect since January 2009. The city maintains a database and rotation schedule. When your property comes due, you will receive a notice. The cost of the audit is the property owner's responsibility.

The City of Allen's inspection form accepts two certifications: Texas A&M AgriLife and Irrigation Association. We hold the Texas A&M certification — one of two accepted by the city.

19%
Commercial water reduction city-wide after first audit cycle
85%
Of audited accounts dropped consumption
60%
Maximum reduction seen in a single account

Source: City of Allen irrigation audit program results, Land Development Code Sec. 7.05.6.6.b (Ord. No. 2721-3-08, enacted March 2008, effective January 2009).

We Handle the Full Process

  • Audit performed to Irrigation Association Recommended Audit Guidelines
  • Catch can test, precipitation rate, distribution uniformity per the IA method
  • City of Allen Irrigation Inspection Form completed and signed
  • Copy of Texas A&M certification provided to city on first visit
  • Written report you keep for your records
  • Can coordinate directly with property manager or landscape company
Schedule a Commercial Audit
Office & Retail
Shopping centers, office buildings
HOAs
Common areas, parks, pools
Apartments & Multifamily
All grounds irrigation
Industrial & Warehouse
Landscaped areas
Catch cans placed in a grid pattern on a DFW lawn during an irrigation audit

The Science of Catch Can Testing

Catch cans reveal your system's actual precipitation rate — how many inches per hour each zone delivers. Allen's first-year audit data showed less than 1% of commercial systems had acceptable distribution uniformity before their first audit. The problem isn't visible. Only measurement finds it.

  • Measure True Precipitation Rates

    We calculate exactly how many inches of water your system applies per hour — per zone.

  • Identify Distribution Uniformity

    Dry spots and over-watered areas show up immediately in the catch can data. Many DFW commercial systems run with DU scores below 0.18.

  • Build a Schedule from Real Data

    Your optimized watering schedule is based on your system's actual measured output — not factory defaults.

What Your Audit Includes

A systematic evaluation following Irrigation Association Recommended Audit Guidelines.

Catch Can Test

Cups placed in a grid throughout each zone, measured after each run. Actual precipitation rates — not estimates. Required by both IA guidelines and Allen's ordinance.

Precipitation Rate & Uniformity

We calculate inches per hour and distribution uniformity (DULQ) for every zone using the IA catch can method. Results documented on the inspection form.

Zone-by-Zone Inspection

Head performance, spray pattern, arc, radius, and coverage uniformity documented. All problem heads corrected before the audit is performed.

Pressure Testing

Actual pressure reading taken on at least one irrigation head per zone. Too high or too low directly impacts DU and head performance.

Schedule Optimization

A zone-specific watering schedule built from measured data — your soil, your sun exposure, your system. Not factory defaults.

Written Report & City Form

Written audit report plus the completed City of Allen Irrigation Inspection Form for commercial properties, ready to submit to the city.

Who Needs an Irrigation Audit?

Required for some. Worth it for everyone.

✦

Allen TX Commercial Properties

Required by ordinance every 3 years for all non-single-family accounts — office, retail, multifamily, HOA, industrial. City sends notice when you're due.

✦

High Water Bills

Summer bills climbing but nothing changed? Your system is over-watering. An audit finds exactly where and by how much.

✦

Water District Conservation Programs

Some local water districts require a certified audit for conservation program eligibility. Check with your provider.

✦

New Property Owner

Inherited systems are rarely optimized. Previous owners set a schedule and forgot it. An audit tells you what you actually have.

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Dry Spots or Uneven Coverage

Brown patches mean coverage gaps or poor distribution uniformity — exactly what catch can testing reveals.

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Recent Landscaping Changes

New plants, beds, or turf areas change your water needs. An audit after landscaping work realigns your schedule.

How the Audit Works

Five steps — from scheduling to a data-driven watering schedule and city-ready documentation.

1

Book Your Audit

Schedule online or by phone. We confirm a time that works for you.

2

Place Catch Cans

We set up a grid of catch cups throughout each zone before running the system.

3

Run & Observe

Each zone runs while we watch head performance, spray patterns, and coverage gaps.

4

Measure & Calculate

Cups are collected and measured. We calculate precipitation rate and distribution uniformity per zone.

5

Report & Submit

You receive a written report. For Allen commercial properties, we complete the City inspection form.

Water District Program Eligibility

Some local water districts require a certified irrigation audit for conservation program eligibility. Our auditor is EPA WaterSense certified and listed on the EPA Find a Pro directory. Your audit documentation is included in the written report.

Schedule Your Audit

Irrigation audits are one part of a bigger picture. Learn about our broader water stewardship commitment and how we help DFW properties use every drop responsibly.

Free Tools

Explore Your Property Data Before the Audit

Water Balance CalculatorSee your soil's moisture balance and how much supplemental irrigation your lawn needs.DFW Soil MapExplore soil types, drainage class, and infiltration rates at your address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Allen, TX commercial property need a certified irrigation audit?
Yes. Under Allen Land Development Code Sec. 7.05.6.6.b, all irrigation systems in non-single-family developments — including apartments, shopping centers, office buildings, warehouses, and HOA common areas — must be audited by a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor and the results submitted to the city once every three years. Properties that use less than 20,000 gallons per year are exempt. The city maintains a rotation schedule and will notify properties when they come due.
What certifications does Allen, TX accept for the commercial irrigation audit?
The City of Allen's Irrigation Inspection Form accepts certifications from two organizations: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Irrigation Association. Our auditor holds the Texas A&M certification, which is explicitly listed on the form. A copy of the certification must be on file with the city.
What happens if my Allen commercial property doesn't comply?
Non-compliance is a code violation under Allen's Land Development Code. The city tracks all commercial irrigation accounts in a database and follows up on properties that miss their 3-year inspection window. As of 2013, 93% of commercial accounts had complied and no fines had been issued — but the requirement and enforcement mechanism are in place.
What is an irrigation audit?
An irrigation audit is a data-driven evaluation of your sprinkler system's performance. Unlike a basic inspection, it measures actual precipitation rates and distribution uniformity using catch cans — giving you hard data on how much water each zone delivers and how evenly it's distributed. The result is an optimized watering schedule built from real measurements.
What is a catch can test?
A catch can test places small measuring cups throughout a zone, runs the zone for a set time, then measures how much water each cup collected. The data reveals precipitation rate (inches per hour) and distribution uniformity. According to Allen's first-year audit data, less than 1% of commercial systems had distribution uniformity above 0.50 before their first audit.
How long does a commercial audit take?
Allen's ordinance requires auditing the largest turfgrass zone for each controller on the property. A property with one controller typically takes 2–3 hours. Larger properties with multiple controllers will take longer. We complete the City of Allen Irrigation Inspection Form and provide a written report.
Do I need a certified audit for a water district program?
Some local water districts require a certified landscape irrigation auditor for conservation program eligibility. Check with your water provider for current requirements. Our auditor is EPA WaterSense certified and listed on the EPA Find a Pro directory. Your audit documentation is included in the written report.
What credentials does your auditor hold?
Brandon Surratt is an EPA WaterSense Certified Irrigation Auditor (certified through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – School of Irrigation) and a TCEQ Licensed Irrigator (LI0023963). He is listed on the EPA's Find a Pro directory at lookforwatersense.epa.gov. His Texas A&M certification is one of the two accepted certifications on the City of Allen's commercial irrigation inspection form.

Commercial or residential — we handle both.

Allen TX compliance audits with completed city forms. Residential audits with data-driven schedules. One certified auditor for all of it.

(469) 839-2113

Schedule Now

Commercial and residential appointments available.

Commercial AuditResidential Audit

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