Irrigation Systems

ACSA Irrigation Services for Homes and Businesses

Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) provides irrigation services designed to meet the needs of both residential and commercial customers. Whether you’re using an auxiliary meter or an exclusion meter system, our irrigation services ensure that you can maintain your lawn or garden while conserving water. Learn about our rules for new irrigation installations, the replacement of exclusion meters, and important guidelines for backflow prevention. If you are considering abandoning your system to reduce costs and conserve water, we offer resources to guide you through the process.

Auxiliary Meter Systems

As of January 1, 2006, all new irrigation systems must be auxiliary meter systems. This means that irrigation water is served by a separate tap on the ACSA water main. Irrigation water usage is measured by a separate (auxiliary) meter similar to the main water meter serving the house or facility. There are no sewer charges on the irrigation water.

Regardless of whether irrigation water is used during the season, the annual testing of the backflow prevention assembly by a certified tester must be performed. If you own a property with an auxiliary meter irrigation system and are considering “abandoning” the system, click the link below for further information.

If you are interested in applying for a new irrigation service, click the link above for an irrigation application or contact custerv@serviceauthority.org.

Exclusion Meter Systems

With this design the plumbing of the irrigation system branches off the private water service line feeding the house or facility. A second meter, called an exclusion meter, measures the amount of irrigation water used. There are no sewer charges on the irrigation water.

Beginning January 1, 2006, ACSA Rules and Regulations were modified to no longer allow the installation of private exclusion meter systems. ACSA is currently in the midst of a multi-year program to replace or convert all private exclusion meters. Property owners who continue to properly maintain their irrigation system, including the annual testing of the backflow prevention assembly, can continue using their private exclusion meter until upgrades occur. 

If you own a property with an exclusion meter irrigation system and are considering “abandoning” the system, click the link below for more information.

residential irrigation system

Abandonment of an Irrigation System

If you’re considering discontinuing the use of your irrigation system — what we refer to as “abandonment” — it may be for one of several reasons. You may no longer need the system, or you may want to conserve water or reduce your costs, including the monthly meter reading fee and the annual backflow prevention assembly testing.

This is an important decision, and we want to ensure you have all the information you need to make the right choice. For detailed guidance based on your type of meter, please click the appropriate link below.

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