I am more excited about Smart Irrigation Month this year than past years because so many people are getting involved. I have already seen a significant increase over past years in the amount of publicity the first day of Smart Irrigation Month. It feels like we are building excellent momentum. The Irrigation Association created Smart Irrigation Month as an initiative to increase public awareness of the value of water-use efficiency and grow demand for water-saving products, practices and services. July is the selected month because it is typically the month water requirements are highest for landscapes, it’s typically the hottest month of the year, and a great time to check how well your irrigation system is watering. Smart Irrigation Month started in 2005 and is gaining traction as stakeholders recognize the potential impact of efficient irrigation in July and year-round. All industry professionals and businesses are encouraged to participate.
The number of states recognizing Smart Irrigation Month has also increased. Last year just four states designated July as Smart Irrigation Month: Arizona, North Carolina, Colorado, and Oklahoma. This year Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Virginia, Colorado, New Jersey have all declared July as Smart Irrigation Month and California has declared July Water Smart Month. It is interesting to note the proclamations are submitted and granted on an annual basis.
Smart Irrigation Month is an industry campaign to increase public awareness of the value of water-use efficiency. It’s an opportunity for all of us to:
- Save money on water bills
- Nurture green spaces that deliver real environmental benefits
- Protects our community’s water supply for generations to come
- Minimize needed investments in infrastructure to store and carry water, which must be paid for by property taxes or municipal bonds
Smart controllers are a great idea for Smart Irrigation Month. They deliver exactly the right amount of water at the right time. Below are just a few of the advantages of using smart controllers:
- Minimize over watering while keeping your lawn and garden beautiful and healthy
- Adjust watering automatically to account for rain and other conditions
- Put every drop of water to work by minimizing evaporation and waste
- Make maintaining your yard easy and convenient
With just a few simple strategies, it’s easy to save water, save money and see better results.
- Plant right
- Invest in an irrigation system
- Water wisely
- Maintain and upgrade your system
- Work with an irrigation professional
Hunter Industries is running a contest giving away free trips to the Irrigation Association Show in Austin this November. Some of the irrigation distributors are getting on board too. Ewing Irrigation has an amazing Smart Irrigation Month promotion that includes smart irrigation sales tools. They have some great ideas and will decrease the amount of time a contractor has to take to prepare and allow them to have more time to sell.
So this is your chance to support Smart Irrigation Month. There are lots of opportunities to make a difference. Let us know in the comments section of the blog what you plan to do to celebrate the month, and if I missed a promotion or something special you are doing please let us all know in the comments area.
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