Irrigation Contractors Join Efforts with City to Reduce Water Usage 

In a cooperative effort to address our current water supply situation, representatives of the local irrigation industry met with City of Greensboro employees on Tuesday, November 6.  This group is involved in a continuing endeavor to assist in promoting efficient irrigation practices in Greensboro. Local irrigation contractors and suppliers have assisted the City in holding irrigation workshops for Greensboro residents and businesses. 

Allan Williams, Director of Water Resources, states “Managing irrigation demand is our greatest opportunity for reducing water consumption. The irrigation companies in Greensboro are concerned about sound water use practices and are working with the City to promote the best way to handle outdoor watering.”

This time of year, the easiest way to reduce consumption is to adjust irrigation systems to water only recently seeded areas or newly planted shrubs and flowers.  For residents with an established landscape, now is an excellent time to “winterize” systems (methodically shutting them down for the winter and preventing freeze damage). 

After the City’s rain sensor requirement went into effect June 1, 2000, irrigation contractors diligently worked to educate their customers about the water saving benefit of these devices. 

“Due to the City’s requirement, our company sold 1,000 more rain sensors this year. That’s a 200 percent increase over last year’s sales,” states Dennis Rhodes, John Deere Landscapes Irrigation Manager. Rain sensors automatically shut the systems off when it begins to rain.

Residents are encouraged to make these adjustments to their irrigation systems at this time or call their professional irrigation contractor to do so.  For more information on water saving practices, call the WaterWise Hotline at 373-7610.