Irrigation
The Annual Irrigation Season
The typical BMID irrigation season lasts about 200 days. The average start date is April 2nd and the average stop date is October 18th of each year. The actual start and stop dates are set each year by the BMID Board of Directors and are announced in advance in the spring and again in the fall.
The Spring 2022 Irrigation Start-up Schedule
BMID normally begins admitting water to our customers on April 1st, and concluding with full operation District-wide on April 15th, weather permitting. When you receive water depends on where you are located within the District.
The Fall 2022 Irrigation Shut Down Schedule
The usual time for irrigation shut off is mid-October. The shut off date for the 2022 Residential Irrigation Season will be October 17th.
Typical Water Usage
Two distinct user groups are supplied irrigation water through the District’s distribution system: Residential and Agricultural. Combined, the District is currently delivering water to over 4200 acres. Water consumption averages between 3.0 to 3.5 acre feet/acre/year. One acre-foot contains 325,829 gallons.
IRRIGATION
IRRIGATION RATES
The irrigation assessment is mailed out prior to April each year. You have the option of paying the first half by April 30th and the second half by October 31st. Assessments are mailed in February and September.
The following rates are effective as of January 1, 2022 for irrigation service:
| Fixed Cost Per Service Connection | $290.00 |
Assessment = Fixed Cost + One of the Following:
| Irrigation Rate (x Acreage) | $230.00 |
| Non-Irrigation / Undeveloped Rate (x Acreage) | $115.00 |
| MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES & FEES | |
| If at least the 1st 1/2 is not paid by April 30th | Full Amount Due Plus Int.* |
| Administration/Operational Fee | $60.00 |
| NSF Check Fee | $50.00 |
| Stop Payment (customer initiated) | $50.00 |
*Delinquent accounts are also subject to disconnection & fees
BMID accepts cash or check. Checks may be mailed in or deposited in the white drop box outside our office.
*REMINDER: If you are using the bill pay option through you bank, make sure that you allocate enough time for your payment to be received by BMID via USPS. Bank payments are mailed in bulk and do not have postmarks on the envelopes; therefore, the payment will be applied to your account when received by BMID. Per the RCW from the State of Washington irrigation payments are due and payable on or before April 30th (first half) and October 31st (second half) of each year. REMEMBER it is the customers responsibility to make sure the payment arrives or is postmarked by the due date.
Domestic and irrigation accounts must be paid by separate checks.
IRRIGATION POLICIES
RESIDENTIAL IRRIGATION WATER DISTRIBUTION REGULATIONS
A Resolution of the Board of Directors of Badger Mountain Irrigation District establishing the Residential Irrigation Water Distribution Regulations.
- Watering is encouraged between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. to minimize evaporative losses.
- Over-watering due to prolonged irrigation, blown sprinkler heads and or leaks should be avoided. Some examples of over-watering are: ponding of water or run-off onto the street. The District recommends that irrigation customers adhere to local best management practices for turf watering. BMID customers are encouraged to seek advice from local soil conservation Districts, WSU Extension Service and local sod companies. If over-watering continues to occur after written notification by BMID, the District reserves the right to terminate the situation by shutting off the service outlet. A $60.00 disconnect/reconnect fee will be charged before service is restored.
- Every lot must have a distribution box and valve accessible by the District. Valves and equipment within distribution boxes are the property of the District. Irrigation customers are to supply their own emergency shut-off valve somewhere downstream of the District-owned distribution outlet. No person or persons other than District personnel shall operate equipment within the distribution boxes. No changes or alterations are allowed within BMID valve boxes.
The following is a summary of the District’s billing and notice procedures:
January 15
On or before January 15, the District Secretary-Manager determines the assessment roll or the respective segregation. (RCW87.03.270 1st paragraph)
February 15
Assessments due and payable (RCW 87.03.270, 1st paragraph)
March 15 – April 15
Water Service begins. No service if prior year is unpaid.
April 1
By April 1, the Treasurer of the District shall send a statement of assessments due. (RCW 87.03.270, 4th paragraph)
April 30th
Last day for receipt of first half irrigation assessments (Irrigated and Non-Irrigated) to be received before assessments become delinquent. Payment for the first half must be received at the BMID District office by this date or they will be considered delinquent. Or if mailed in, payment must be postmarked by April 30. If the first half assessment is not paid by April 30, the entire assessment is delinquent and then becomes due and payable. However, if the first half payment is received by this date, the second half of the assessment will not be due and payable until October 31. First half assessments are only applicable to assessments of ten dollars ($10.00) or more. Payment for the second half of the assessment must be received at the BMID office by no later than October 31. Payments received after this date are considered delinquent. Or if mailed in, mail-in payments must be postmarked by October 31 to avoid being delinquent. (RCW 87.03.270, 2nd paragraph and RCW 1.12.070)
May 1
First half assessments if not paid by April 30 are delinquent on the first day of May and the entire assessment shall bear interest at the rate of twelve (12%/annum) computed on a monthly basis and without compounding, from the date of the delinquency until paid. (RCW 87.03.270, 2nd.paragraph)
May 15 – 30
Water is terminated between May 15 and May 30 if the first half or the full
assessment is not paid. A $60.00 Administrative/Operational Fee will be charged
in addition to the assessment due along with accrued interest. Full
payment is required prior to the restoration of irrigation service.
September 15 – 30th
A notice will be mailed to all lots/parcels that have the second half balance
due.
October 31st
Assessments for the second half are due and payable for all irrigated and
non-irrigated parcels. (RCW 87.03.270, 2nd paragraph)
November 1st
Second half assessments shall become delinquent on the first day of
November and shall bear interest at the rate of twelve (12%) per annum
computed on a monthly basis and without compounding, from the date of
the delinquency (November 1) until paid. (RCW 87.03.270, 2nd paragraph)
WHEREAS, the District has an obligation to actively seek collection for irrigation assessments in the same budget year the costs have been incurred.
WHEREAS, the District has a policy to discontinue irrigation service to residential parcels during the same irrigation season for non-payment of assessments and,
WHEREAS, residential parcels are typically less than 10 acres and,
WHEREAS, the annual delivery of irrigation water (Irrigation Season) generally may begin as early as March 15th and ends no later than October 31st of each year.
ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Badger Mountain Irrigation District, Benton County Washington at a regular open meeting, on the 5TH day of August 2009.
Click here for a printable version of the Irrigation Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do I have low irrigation pressure at my property?
A: This is by far the most common complaint that the District receives 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.
If the situation persists after cleaning your filter and using an alternate watering schedule, please call the District office.
Q: What is the typical minimum delivery pressure to my property?
A: 60 psi. This is the measured pressure with all of your sprinklers off.
Q: What is the recommended maximum gallons per minute (GPM) flow for each sprinkler zone?
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.
Q: What kind of sprinklers should I install?
A: The most commonly used sprinkler for turf watering within BMID 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. For relatively trouble-free operation, the District recommends the use of impact sprinklers where possible, especially for turf watering.
Q: What kind of filter should be used with my irrigation system?
A: The District recommends 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 1/16” 304 stainless steel perforated screen. For more details, the District office provides handouts that describe this particular strainer and screen material.
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.
Q: Does BMID have recommended watering practices?
A: Yes. With few exceptions, the District has been able to provide irrigation water service to all customers on a “demand” basis. That means that customers do not have to order water deliveries in advance like most irrigation districts. 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.
If this situation persists, the District may recommend that you water at a different time in the morning and/or evening. So instead of watering at say 6:00 a.m., alternate to 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. In any case, avoid watering during the hottest part of the day. The District suggests following the turf watering guidelines as recommended by the WSU/Benton County Extension Service in Kennewick at 735-3551 or local sod company. See the Irrigation Policies page for more information.
Q: Should I have my own emergency shut-off valve to my property? Why?
A: Yes. This is very important for a number of 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 District’s.
4. Finally, having your own isolation valve eliminates the need to get into the adjacent BMID valve box that serves your property. That box and fittings are the property of BMID and reserved for District use only.
Irrigation Connection Sketches
Type B Riser
Filter Screen
Construction Specifications