Luckily for irrigators, we are not limited to the use of pure water only. With modern advancements in technology, salt and brackish water is being treated to the point where it can be used for irrigation. The cost per 1000 gallons can be substantial. This is why it is so important to water only when the plant material requires it, not when enough time has gone by as is the case with all automatically scheduled irrigation that does not take the weather into consideration. Irrigation audits when correctly performed will supply the end user with valuable information regarding the actual operation of the irrigation system in question.