Irrigation and Landscape Supply Blog

Water News | July 27 – Aug. 7, 2011

Written by Ewing Outdoor Supply | Aug 8, 2011 12:00:00 AM

Recent water conservation trends, rebates and news impacting the Green Industry.

Water turned off in North Texas town to conserve
ABC 13, Aug. 7, 2011
Water conservation has been turned up a notch in one North Texas community: The water has been cut off.
New edition of Turfgrass Water Conservation book released
UCR Newsroom, Aug. 3, 2011
Two turfgrass experts have prepared the second edition of “Turfgrass Water Conservation” on the many advances in the science and technologies of turfgrass water use. Included for the first time are the environmental impact of water use on turf; policy issues; expanded relationships with the landscape; and water use efficiency in soils modified for high quality or high traffic turf.
Kansas urges cities to prepare for drought
KWCH, Aug. 3, 2011
 Nearly a dozen cities already have water restrictions in place, but the Kansas Water Office wants all communities to be prepared. Memos are being emailed or mailed to cities and towns acknowledging whether they have a water conservation plan on file with the state, and urging them to create one if they don't.
Tulsans react to plea for voluntary water conservation
NewsOn6, Aug. 3, 2011
Record usage this summer has Tulsa asking people to conserve water, especially when it comes to watering lawns. Most of the city splash pads are closed, in part to save water loss. 78 percent say they will voluntarily cut back their water usage in a NewsOn6.com poll.

City of Shreveport asks citizens to voluntarily conserve waterKSLA, Aug. 4, 2011

North Texas Municipal Water District initiates stage 2 water conservation
WFAA, Aug. 4, 2011
The water district's announcement means that its 13 member cities across suburban Dallas will soon start implementing water conservation strategies.
New Delta plan draft calls for farm water conservation
Sacramento Bee, Aug. 4, 2011
 
City of Napa proposes water rate increase
Napa Valley Register, Aug. 3, 2011
Cost to water a 3,000 square foot lawn in July is expected to rise to about $103, up from $78.
Southern Nevada water projects awarded $700K in grants
Fox5 News, Aug. 3, 2011
Desert Research Institute in Nevada will receive $199,761 for the evaluation of evapotranspiration and irrigation water requirements in changing climate.
Groundwater District in Texas’ Hays County restricts pumping
San Marcos Local News, Aug. 2, 2011
According to officials, the current drought may be the worst in recorded history.
Roseville residents warned not to waste water
Fox40 News, Aug. 1, 2011
Roseville employs two temporary, part-time people to patrol the city for water waste.  Those water “ambassadors,” as the city calls them, place notices on the doorknobs of homes where water is sprinkled onto sidewalks or running down the street.
 
Water Authority reveals Albuquerque’s highest users
KOAT, July 29, 2011
The water authority said the Arroyo del Oso Golf course has the highest usage in the city. Also high on the usage list are Balloon Fiesta Park, the zoo, the Albuquerque Academy and Lovelace Health Systems.

Classes and Rebates

Free water-wise landscaping classes on tap in Bay Area
Mercury News, July 30 2011
Water-wise gardening is the emphasis as the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency launches its summer-fall series of free landscape education classes.
City of Petaluma Smart Yard Program to install smart controllers
Business Wire, July 27, 2011
Smart Yard will provide a WeatherTRAK ® smart irrigation controller and a rain sensor to qualifying water customers at no up-front cost.
Solano water agency offers landscape rebates
Daily Republic, Aug. 4, 2011
People can get the rebate for replacing lawns with low-water-use plants that use drip irrigation or with permeable hardscape. The rebate is 60 cents per square foot up to $600.
Smartscape workshops offered to landscape professionals in Phoenix
Water Use It Wisely, July 22, 2011
To continue to provide quality, affordable professional development opportunities to landscape professionals across the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, the upcoming Smartscape workshop series will be held in Goodyear, Arizona starting Mondays and Wednesdays, Aug. 8-31.
Foothills Municipal Water District to continue rebates
La Cañada Valley Sun, July 27, 2011
Up to $43,000 will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Landscape rebates offered include rain barrels, sprinklers, controllers and turf removal.