As warm weather prevails and spring begins, the grass gets greener, trees begin to bud, and flowers begin to bloom. In Garden City, residents are all aware of how much work it takes annually to make this spring miracle happen. Most, if not all homes are equipped with automatic watering systems that help maintain the lush grasses and gardens that this village is notoriously known for. But as we beautify our properties, we must stay aware of our not-so-beautiful methods required to do so.
Irrigation, like sunlight and warmth, plays an important role in the maintenance and growth of the grass, plants, and trees. Without a good watering, plants become dehydrated and can die. According to the U.S Geological Survey only 1 percent of the Earth's water is actually usable by humans; and we tend to waste large quantities of it watering our lawns. According to the West Harris (Texas) County Regional Water Authority “If the system is used every other day, the monthly usage for the sprinkler system alone is calculated [at] 16,875 gallons”. One system, for one operating year in Garden City, where lawns typically grow from April through November equates to over 80,000 gallons of water, which amounts to ridiculously high amounts of water usage when looking at the village as a whole. Luckily there are several investment options available that will not only save the environment, but will also save Garden City and its residents money.
One of the cheapest additions residents can integrate into their current systems is a rain sensor. These sensors do exactly as they sound-- they measure rainfall. The information collected is then sent to a chip which turns the irrigation system on and off as needed. This creates an individualized “smart” irrigation system that will not over water or under water, but will provide individual lawns with just the right amount. The Department of Water in Tampa Florida says that such sensors can save up to 20 percent on outdoor water usage. Savings like this will reflect clearly in the next water bill as well. According to the Sprinkler Warehouse, an online lawn and garden store, these sensors can cost as little as $18, an amount that would be easily made back in no time at all.
If residents are up for a bigger investment with an equally bigger return, then consider adding a rain harvester. These systems come in all shapes and sizes, including a simple rain barrel (which costs about $50) all the way up to 1,500 plus gallon collection tank ($4,000). By collecting rain runoff from rooftops and driveways and storing it until the irrigation system needs it, it is possible to never need town water again for irrigation. The Save the Rain Campaign estimates a larger scale tank could cut water usage by 50 percent. There is always the concern, that despite reducing water dependence from the town, the runoff will be more dirty and polluted and not worth the investment. It is guaranteed, however, this rain water is clean and safe. Rain harvesters often include filtration systems that are integrated into the tanks, making sure lawns only receive the cleanest, debris-free irrigation.
Whether it be a simple sensor or complete revamped collection system, the results are the same: money back in the Village of Garden City residents' pockets. This spring don't just beautify properties, beautify habits, and beautify the future of our planet.
