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2006-06-23

SMART SPRINKLING PRESS CONFERENCE

June 23, 2006

Xeriscape Plaza, Salt Lake City, UT

Remarks by Stuart Eyring

Chief Conservation Officer

Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.

I express my appreciation to the Utah Rivers Council and SpyHop Productions for allowing us to partner with them on the Smart Sprinkling campaign.

As you know, we are keenly aware and concerned that along with the many benefits of automatic sprinkler systems comes the huge potential for water waste if the system is not designed and installed properly, and then maintained regularly

If you think about it for a moment, you and I see water loss from automatic sprinklers every day:  

- Mist wafting into the air - this is often a sign of excess pressure causing misting and evaporation.

- Dry rings or strips surrounded by ankle high green grass – this is often a sign of improperly spaced sprinkler heads leading to under and overwatering.

- A geyser in the parkstrip – this is often a sign of a broken head gone unnoticed – since much of our watering is done in the night and early mornings, the geyser can go unchecked for weeks.

All the above conditions lead to huge water waste.

The new Smart Sprinkling DVD and streaming video provides homeowners with easy-to-understand recommendations for and solutions to the above problems including: install a pressure regulator, design or adjust your system for head to head coverage, and learn how to perform, simple, regular system checks – as well as many more tips for practicing Smart Sprinkling.

We are committed to continuing our efforts and partnership to bring technology and education to bear on water conservation. Examples include:

- Drip irrigation systems which easily result in 50% reduction in water-usage vs. traditional spray irrigation systems 

- Next-generation soil moisture sensors and sprinkler timers that are inexpensive, easy to install, and very low maintenance  

- Increased cooperation with nurseries and garden centers to promote "smart landscaping” which educates and encourages homeowners to select drought tolerant plants and grasses that are more adaptable to our climate and require less water 

- Co-sponsorship of the Orbit-Utah Rivers Council theme float in the 2006 Days of 47 parade 

Our conservation mission is unending and we must constantly review our actions and renew our commitment.  

I encourage you to log onto www.utahrivers.org/ smartspinkling, take the Smart Sprinkling pledge, view the streaming video, and start practicing Smart Sprinkling today.  

Thank you.