Use less water to green your lawn

Use less water to green your lawn

By Ashley Phillips
Green Right Now

Most cities have water restrictions, that not only limit the amount you can water your lawn, but even when you can water it. This can lead to one of two things, a brown, dry yard or a beautiful yard that results in community fines.

But there are irrigation systems that can give you the green landscape you desire, while actually saving water.

One new system on the market is the WaterOptimizer, which uses “smart irrigation technology” that controls system water pressure and disperses the water only where it is needed. The system uses soil moisture sensors which allow for your yard to get the exact amount of water it needs, and not any more. The WaterOptimizer saves up to 70% of water when compared to a regular sprinkler system, its makers say.

This sort of technology, in fact, gets special considerations under some watering laws.

Florida, for instance, , just passed a new irrigation law, Chapter 373.62, that exempts homeowners associations, community development districts and large properties using water sensor irrigation systems from mandated water restrictions. The law recognizes that moisture-detection systems must be allowed to operate on their own schedule, and will save water if left to work as designed.

The WaterOptimizer, available online and in US retail stores, connects to current residential irrigation systems, replacing existing controllers.

“Installation costs vary, depending upon the irrigation system and how much the irrigation company charges for the installation. Typically an average installation costs approximately $420-$900 per home. This cost includes equipment, installation and miscellaneous hardware,” stated Thomas O’Connor, spokesman for WaterOptimizer.

Some cities also give rebates to homeowners that install this eco-friendly technology.

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