Allen TX Mandates Commercial Irrigation Audits to Curb Water Waste

Audit service aims to improve efficiency of commercial irrigation systems across the Dallas-Fort Worth area

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The city of Allen, Texas has implemented a new mandate requiring all commercial irrigation systems to undergo regular audits by certified professionals. The goal is to address widespread inefficiencies in these systems, which a local auditor found are often running at only 40-55% distribution uniformity, wasting large amounts of water and money. The audits, which start at $295, have already led to a 19% reduction in citywide commercial water consumption after the first round of inspections.

Why it matters

As North Texas grapples with ongoing drought conditions, improving the efficiency of commercial irrigation systems is crucial to reducing water waste and managing scarce water resources. The audit program in Allen aims to serve as a model for other cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to follow, helping commercial property owners and managers identify and fix issues with their irrigation systems.

The details

The audit process involves a "catch-can" test to measure the distribution uniformity of the irrigation system, identifying areas where water is being over- or under-applied. Most commercial systems audited in Allen were found to be running at just 40-55% efficiency, meaning up to half of the water used was being wasted. The audits also uncover other issues like broken sprinkler heads, sunken sprinklers, and inoperative zones that need to be repaired. After the first round of mandatory audits, Allen saw a 19% reduction in citywide commercial water usage, with more than 85% of audited properties cutting their consumption, some by over 60%.

  • The City of Allen's new commercial irrigation audit mandate went into effect in January 2026.
  • After the first round of mandatory audits, Allen recorded a 19% reduction in citywide commercial water consumption in 2026.

The players

Better Earth Solutions

A licensed irrigation company serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Allen, that provides the commercial irrigation audit service. Owner Brandon Surratt is an EPA WaterSense Certified Irrigation Auditor and TCEQ Licensed Irrigator.

City of Allen

The local government in Allen, Texas that has implemented the mandatory commercial irrigation audit program as part of its Land Development Code.

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What they’re saying

“Property managers are often shocked when they see the catch-can results. The system has been running the same program for years and nobody's questioned it.”

— Brandon Surratt, Owner, Better Earth Solutions

What’s next

The City of Allen will continue to manage a rotation of over 900 commercial irrigation accounts, sending notices to property owners when their systems are due for the mandatory three-year audit.

The takeaway

The commercial irrigation audit program in Allen serves as a model for other cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region to follow, helping address widespread inefficiencies in irrigation systems and reduce water waste as the area grapples with ongoing drought conditions.