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Irrigation upgrade saves water, power, time By Vickie Aldous Aug 29, 2022 01:00 AM A A Jerry May adjusts a line using a variable frequency drive water pump system at Willow Springs Ranch near Central Point. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Energy Trust offers incentives for efficiency upgrades Jerry May checks on irrigation at a pasture at Willow Springs Ranch near Central Point. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Jerry May has had to dig up water lines on his ranch three times to repair pipes that broke from water blasting through his irrigation system. “It’s not fun to have to dig it up and replace it. The line is about 3 feet underground,” said May, who owns Willow Springs Ranch outside Central Point. When he turned on his outdated water pump, water would rush full-blast through his irrigation system. He compared it to having to push the gas pedal all the way down whenever you want to drive, rather than being able to control your speed. “It was just all or nothing,” he said. But with the help of incentives from Energy Trust, May bought a new variable frequency drive irrigation pump that gives him precision control over the water he uses. Energy Trust offers incentives and rebates on everything from high-efficiency gaskets and nozzles to whole irrigation systems. “It ramps up slow to the water pressure you want and doesn’t exceed that. It doesn’t put so much strain on the power grid or the water lines,” May said. With his old pump, the water pressure was so strong he had to have at least 120 sprinklers open and running at a time, or he would blow water lines. Now he can pick and choose the number of sprinklers he wants on and off — and target the water where he needs it most. That’s especially important these days. Southern Oregon is in a multiyear drought, irrigation reservoirs are depleted and irrigation districts are cutting their seasons short and delivering less water to customers. “In tight water years, if they only give me 75% of the water I normally need, I can focus on my high value crops — peaches and sweet corn. Before, I’d have to water a low value pasture so I wouldn’t blow the water lines,” May said. He and his wife, Wendy May, raise grass-fed cattle, peaches and sweet corn on about 250 acres of their ranch plus some neighboring land they lease. Their son, Andy Coats, is in the business, too, running Coats Ranch on 10 acres. Next year, Jerry and Wendy May plan to add melons to their roster of crops. Their business and way of life preserve an old farm and farmhouse along Willow Springs Road. Jerry May said he used to spend about an hour-and-a-half every day driving an all-terrain vehicle around his fields, turning different sprinklers on and off and on again while always making sure he kept 120 sprinklers on. Some of his fields are a mile apart. Now he’s spending much less time juggling the sprinkler system. “We’re saving on fuel. We probably drove 6,000 miles a year just doing irrigation,” he said. May said the new variable frequency drive irrigation pump system cost him almost $12,000. He completed paperwork, sent Energy Trust his invoices and predicts he’ll get about $5,200 back in rebates. He pays a load size fee to the power company every November that used to range from $1,000-$3,000. With the new variable frequency drive irrigation pump putting much less strain on the power grid, he expects that fee will be significantly lower when his November bill shows up. “I’m looking at power, water and time — and I’m saving on all three,” May said. Energy Trust of Oregon helps customers of Pacific Power, PGE, Avista, Cascade Natural Gas and NW Natural use less electricity and natural gas. It’s cheaper to conserve electricity and natural gas than to build out new supplies. Following the “save it, don’t make it mantra” helps utilities keep costs down. Energy Trust of Oregon offers incentives and rebates on efficient irrigation equipment because moving water with pumps requires electricity. Efficient equipment saves both power and water, said Susan Jowaiszas, marketing lead for energy programs for Energy Trust of Oregon. She said Energy Trust tries to make it as easy as possible for farmers to use incentives and rebates. Many stores that sell irrigation equipment have rebate forms on site, and they or Energy Trust representatives can help answer questions about rebates and incentives. “We want to make it as easy as possible because we know farmers are busy. These farmers are doing really important work,” Jowaiszas said. “Farmers know all about conserving resources and getting the most out of what they have.” Over the past 20 years in Jackson County, Energy Trust of Oregon has helped improve the efficiency of 2,300 businesses and 39,600 homes. Energy customers have received $53.5 million in incentives and saved $169.1 million on their power bills, according to Energy Trust. May said he’s been so pleased with the results of the variable frequency drive irrigation pump that he’s planning to get another one next year to replace a second old pump at his ranch. He also wants to swap out old sprinklers and gaskets so he’s using water even more efficiently. “I’ve been telling everybody to do it,” he said. For more information about rebates and incentives to improve efficiency in agriculture, at any other type of business or at home, visit energytrust.org . Many irrigation stores in Southern Oregon can also answer questions. Information about rebates and incentives for irrigation and agriculture is also available by calling 503-928-3154. Representatives can offer advice on replacing parts or whole irrigation systems. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.