Water saving tips for everyone

In the previous column, we discussed a few tips for properly starting up your irrigation system. Now that the system is functioning, I want to offer some simple steps anyone can do to save considerable amounts of water over the course of a season.

As a golf course superintendent in several arid climate regions, I have had my share of flaming arrows shot at me and the golf industry in general for being tremendous wasters of water. The truth is that the golf industry is arguably the most efficient user of irrigation water there is, for two very distinct reasons. First, we have access to incredible irrigation technology, from sprinklers with amazing efficiency, to state of the art sensing technology, all run by computer control tied to each sprinkler. Second, due in large part to the first example, is the simple fact that we must provide a surface that can withstand traffic and must remain playable throughout the golf season. These two facts have made us a leader in the green industry, and yet we are the first group to take the shots when water conservation issues are put in place.

It was Ben Franklin who once said, "When the well's dry, we know the worth of water." Not only was he a great statesman, but an incredible visionary when it came to the value of our natural resources. It is everyone's duty to be efficient with our resources, and there are some very simple devices and practices we can employ to do just that.

Even the simplest irrigation controller (including a hose bib) can be fitted with a basic moisture or rain sensor, which can shut down an irrigation system after a predetermined amount of precipitation. There are a number of different types of rain sensors, and at least as many manufacturers, but the function is the same for all. The point is that for a nominal amount of money (I found the cost to range between $30 and $75 for a basic sensor), you can fit your irrigation system with a powerful tool that can save thousands of gallons of water over the course of a season. Multiply that by several thousand homes and businesses, and we are on the way to saving a lot of water.

After doing a minimum amount of research, I found that almost all municipalities in our region offer rebates on your water bill for installing this type of device on your home systems. The city of Coeur d'Alene, for instance, offers a rebate of up to $75 for the installation of a soil moisture sensor, rain sensor or switch, or even a hose bib timer. Hayden and Spokane County also offer similar rebates. For more information on the Coeur d'Alene rebate, go to www.cdaid.org and click on the link to city of Coeur d'Alene Water Department residential landscape conservation rebate credit program. It's a simple form to fill out that can make a big impact in our community.

If you have any questions or feedback contact Kevin Hicks at khicks@cdaresort.com.