Take notice Spokane: July is Smart Irrigation Month
You might've seen the "Slow the Flow" advertisement on the Spokesman-Review and thought, huh? What does that mean? With a new water rate structure in effect for 2011, Spokane water customers are encouraged to conserve- especially in dry months like July which is Smart Irrigation Month. Under the new rate structure in Spokane, large water users will pay more per unit of water than customers who use less water. At the same time, small volume users will see their bills go down under the new structure. This is relief for the 2,500 low income Spokane residents whose water was shut off in 2010. (Check out Taylor Weech's excellent sustainability column in Out There Monthly on water usage.)
To help customers make changes, the City is offering up to a $375 water bill credit for installing a new or upgrading their existing underground sprinkler system with a Smart controller. Smart controls measure the moisture content in the air and soil, and turn off your system when watering isn’t needed. For details, call 625-7800 or check out the Water Stewardship page. Here are some other great ways to save water:
-Don’t sprinkle between noon and 6 p.m. Some experts estimate that 50 percent of the water evaporates when sprinkling in the heat of the day. Early morning watering is best.
-Don’t let your hose run. While washing your car, use a nozzle or shut off the faucet until you spray. Running a 5/8-inch hose for 30 minutes wastes up to 150 gallons of water.
-Don’t water streets and sidewalks. Adjust your sprinkler to avoid the pavement; otherwise, evaporation will claim all the water that doesn’t end up on your lawn.
Protecting and preserving our water resources should be a long-term goal for all users. After the jump, check out more information on Smart Irrigation Month.
Smart Irrigation Month is an Irrigation Association initiative to increase public awareness of the value of water-use efficiency … and grow demand for water-saving products, practices and services.
Focused on July, traditionally the month of peak demand in North America, the campaign is designed to:
- Educate homeowners, businesses, growers and other users about simple ways to save money and water.
- Encourage industry firms and professionals to promote smart irrigation practices and technologies to customers.
- Help water providers minimize peak water use and reduce demands on infrastructure in their communities.
- Reinforce the role efficient irrigation plays in providing real solutions to today’s water challenges.
First launched in 2005, Smart Irrigation Month is gaining traction as stakeholders recognize the potential impact of efficient irrigation, in July and year-round.
Find out how you can get smart:
