Utah Advances Water Conservation Legislation That Reframes the Role of Turf

The Utah Legislative Water Development Commission unanimously approved the Water Wise Landscaping Amendments on November 20, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Keven Stratton, promotes appropriate grass species paired with smart irrigation…
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Water Waste Roundup: Distribution Uniformity Is the Hidden Driver of Overwatering

You can provide education and rebates all day long. But if irrigation systems can't distribute water evenly, you're subsidizing waste. A University of Florida study found that most residential systems score between 40-60% Distribution Uniformity…
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Americans’ Shifting Interests in Smart Irrigation and Xeriscape

Water-wise landscaping concepts have undergone remarkable growth over the past two decades, reflecting shifting public priorities around sustainability, technology, and climate adaptation.  By analyzing Google Trends data and state-by-state…
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How Durham Canada Cut Water Use With Door-to-Door Student Ambassadors

Durham Region, Ontario Canada had a math problem. The population was growing at 3% annually with water consumption growing at 6% annually.  Peak summer demand was straining treatment capacity, with lawn irrigation driving irrigation spikes.…
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Florida Saved a Billion Gallons of Water by Changing One Habit: A Case Study

  How simple communication grounded in behavioral science can save massive amounts of water - quickly, cheaply, and easily.   A few years ago, SW Florida ran a water-saving campaign called “Skip a week.” It might seem like…
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Which States Are The Most Drought Resilient?

A new report by Healthy Green Spaces Coalition estimated each U.S. state’s drought resilience. The data shows how vulnerable states are to droughts based on their residential and total water usage (including agricultural). The ranking is…
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Community-Based Social Marketing: Increase Water Conservation with Limited Rebate Budgets

Executive Editor: Steve Whitesell Author: Kevin Rowe You’ve rolled out rebates, mailed conservation tips, and launched outreach campaigns—but residents still overwater lawns or ignore leaks. Why? Because knowing what to do isn’t…
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What Motivates People to Change Their Irrigation Behaviors to Reduce Water Waste?

Editorial Director: Steve Whitesell Author: Kevin Rowe Americans are rethinking their yards. Faced with droughts, high water bills, and shifting social norms, many are trading turf for climate-smart landscapes that use less water and maintenance.…
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34 Behavioral Tactics Utilities Can Use to Increase Residential Water Conservation

Executive Director: Steve Whitesell Author: Kevin Rowe  This is a behavioral playbook — a practical, research-based guide to help water conservation managers design rebate programs that people actually use. Instead of focusing only…

Data Show Two-Thirds of Turf Rebate Savings Come from Irrigation Updates

Executive Editor: Steve Whitesell Expert Reviewer: Dr. Kelly Kopp Across the Western U.S., utilities are spending millions paying homeowners to replace lawns with xeriscapes and adapted plant materials. The visual impact is striking —…