Tag Archive for: Water Conservation Series

Most Drought Resilient States

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…
Water waste with controller settings
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Why Controllers Run on Summer Schedules All Year: Water Waste Roundup

Irrigation controller mismanagement and poor scheduling represent massive sources of water waste that have nothing to do with equipment failure.  Research shows 30-60% of irrigation water is wasted, and inappropriate schedules account for…
Expert Insights on Leaks and Loss

Finding Invisible Waste – Expert Insights on Leaks and Loss: Water Waste Roundup

A single broken sprinkler wastes more than 25,000 gallons per year. One pop-up head missing its top? Over 23,000 gallons annually. Research confirms the scale: 30-60% of irrigation water is wasted due to leaks, broken heads, and poor maintenance.…
The Complexity Problem and Why Water Rebates Fail
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The Complexity Problem and the Education Gap: Water Waste Roundup

Water conservation programs invest heavily in rebates and technology. But when homeowners don't understand their irrigation systems—and when the professionals installing them don't either—those investments fail. Homeowners struggle with…
Uniformity is the Hidden Driver of Water Waste

Distribution Uniformity Is the Hidden Driver of Overwatering: Water Waste Roundup

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…
Shifting Interest in Smart Irrigation and Xeriscape
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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…
How Florida Saved a Billion Gallons

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…
Motivation and water waste for irrigation behaviors

What Motivates People to Change Their Irrigation Behaviors to Reduce Water Waste?

Executive Editor: 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.…
two thirds of rebate savings from irrigation

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 —…
Water Wasted from Poor Maintenance
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Irrigation Waste Report: 30-60% of Water Wasted from Poor Maintenance

Executive Editor: Steve Whitesell Expert Author: Dr. Kelly Kopp You don’t need new tech or turf removal to save water—just fix what’s already there. Studies show that 30–60% of irrigation water is wasted due to leaks, misaligned heads,…