Frequently Asked Questions

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A: The tentative start date for the 2024 irrigation season is set for the last week March.

Operational testing will begin the third week of March

Once the system is turned on for the year, you will need to go back and reopen your irrigation valve.

For information on how to open your irrigation valve, keep scrolling to view picture instructions.

It  is also important that you routinely check your irrigation filters  throughout the season. This will ensure that your filter isn't dirty or  clogged and your system is able to run at it's best.

A: This is by far the most common complaint that we receive each season. Quite often the “low pressure” is caused by a plugged filter. Homeowners should plan on routinely checking their filters to ensure proper operation throughout the irrigation season. If your filter is clean, try watering on an alternate schedule to avoid peak watering times (Midnight to 8am). Please visit our Irrigation Watering Schedule for more information.

If the situation persists after cleaning your filter and using an alternate watering schedule, please call the office (509) 735-2151.

A:  There are a few possible reasons and solutions for this.

•  If the amount you owe on your account is zero, you won't be able to find your bill.

• When entering your account number and street address, you must enter the numbers only to your house address in order to find your bill.

• If you're still having trouble searching for your bill on our site, or you do not know your account number, you are welcome to give us a call at                  (509) 735-2151

A. See the Lewis & Clark Irrigation Service Area page. 

A: 60 psi. This is the measured pressure with all your sprinklers off.

A: As an example, for a 1-acre lot with a 1-inch service, the maximum flow (GPM) per zone should not exceed 26 GPM. For lots with less than one acre fitted with a ¾”-inch service the max flow per zone should not exceed a range of 15-20 GPM depending on lot size.

A: The most used sprinkler for turf watering is the impact type. This sprinkler design is best suited for use with irrigation water. Gear drive sprinklers, while efficient and well-designed, are not really meant to be used with irrigation water. The suspended solids such as clay, silt, and small particles of vegetative matter that come naturally with Yakima River water tend to prematurely wear gear drive internals or causes them to not work reliably. Drip systems are also very efficient and popular; however, a drip system requires special filtration when used with irrigation water.

A: We recommend the use of an inline wye-strainer as manufactured by Sonntag Machine & Manufacturing Company, Inc. Size: 1 ¼” or 2” depending on lot size and fitted with a 1/36” (1/36” = 690 micron = 24 mesh) 304 stainless steel perforated screen. 

Note: Typically, the irrigation water is the dirtiest during the annual spring runoff. The clearest period is generally from July to the end of the season in October. Refer to the Sonntag filter screen image for more information.

A: Yes. With few exceptions, the Irrigation Company has been able to provide irrigation water service to all customers on a “demand” basis. However, each year there are occasional peak demand periods when daily high temperatures exceed 100° F. When too many customers water at the same time, distribution line pressures can drop due to higher-than-normal flow velocities within a given pipeline. 

The Irrigation Company encourages you to water at a different time in the morning and/or evening. As per our Irrigation Watering Schedule. The Irrigation Company suggests following the turf watering guidelines as recommended by the WSU/Benton County Extension Service in Kennewick at (509) 735-3551 or local sod company. 

A: Yes. This is very important for a few reasons:

1. The valve can stop flooding or erosion within your property in the event of a pipe break or a blown sprinkler head. Its location and operation should be known to all family members.

2. This valve is necessary to enable the homeowner to temporarily shut-off the incoming pressurized irrigation water to allow for the periodic inspection/cleaning of the homeowner’s wye strainer.

3. This valve is essential for the proper blowout of the homeowner’s sprinkler system at the end of the irrigation season. This valve must be closed to allow compressed air to be admitted only to the homeowner’s irrigation system. Not the Irrigation Company’s.

4. Finally, having your own isolation valve eliminates the need to get into the adjacent Lewis and Clark Irrigation Company valve box that serves your property. That box and fittings are the property of the Lewis and Clark Irrigation Company and reserved for Irrigation Company use only.