AMERICANS SAVING MONEY THROUGH PROPER IRRIGATION METHODS

As millions of Americans drag their garden hoses and lawn care products out of storage to get ready for the summer, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a startling statistic: more than 50 percent of the water used to irrigate lawns and landscape beds will go to waste, along with millions of dollars in unnecessary utility bills. The main culprits are evaporation, run-off and overwatering. But the federal government agency quickly adds homeowners and commercial properties can take charge of their water bills and conserve water by installing and properly maintaining irrigation systems and seeking out professionals that have successfully completed the EPA’s WaterSense-labeled certification program.

Professionals who have completed the EPA’s WaterSense certification preserve the nation’s water supply by ensuring proficiency in water-efficient design, installation, maintenance and system audits.

“Water conservation is increasingly on the minds of homeowners, commercial real estate managers and municipalities, especially given the current state of the economy,” said Steven Flury, owner of Atlantic Lighting and Irrigation, who had each of its four sales associates/designers complete the EPA’s WaterSense labeled certification program. “We are answering the need by designing and maintaining systems which conserve water while protecting the investment made in lawns and landscapes to keep them healthy and lush. This makes good sense from an environmental and economic perspective.”

While this certification is currently voluntary, it is expected that municipalities will soon require all irrigation companies to be WaterSense labeled certified professionals.

Atlantic Lighting & Irrigation offers the following tips for efficient irrigation of your landscape:
• Use a weather-based irrigation schedule – this could save the average household 37 gallons of water a day
• Water early in the morning when the air is cool and calm
• Don’t overwater – a rotating schedule is best
• Inspect your irrigation system regularly
• Use native plants for your climate as they require less water

Last week’s $10.5 billion EPA budget continued the focus on water conservation with a $475 million multi-agency Great Lakes initiative to protect and clean up the largest fresh water lakes in the world through restoration efforts.

For more information on irrigation systems and they can conserve water, please visit www.atlantic-irrigation.com or www.epa.gov/watersense.

Located in Gambrills, Maryland Atlantic Lighting & Irrigation has been designing, installing and maintaining landscape lighting and irrigation systems for private residences, commercial properties and government grounds for more than 20 years. The professional staff is certified in all areas of landscape lighting and irrigation system design, installation and maintenance including the EPA’s WaterSense labeled certification program.

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