Community Corner
Urban Farmer Store Partners with MMWD to Push Smart Irrigation Systems
In celebration of Smart Irrigation month, local gardening supply center in Mill Valley is offering discounts on water-saving controllers during the month of July.
Mill Valley’s is offering a 20 percent discount coupon on all smart irrigation controllers during the month of July. The program is part of a partnership between the (MMWD) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program.
July is Smart Irrigation Month, and for good reason: July is typically the month of peak demand for water for the lawns and gardens of North America. The national Irrigation Association chose July to generate public awareness of new water-saving technologies during the time of highest consumption. Smart irrigation controllers can help people save money on their water bills while conserving a precious resource.
A smart controller self-adjusts its water output based on real-time factors such as rainfall, wind, temperature and soil type. It’s basically a robot-brain for your lawn, and studies have shown that the use of a smart controller reduces irrigation water use by an average of 25 percent, according to the MMWD.
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Eric Guenther, manager of the Urban Farmer store in Mill Valley, says that the program is a win-win for both store and community. It’s good for business and can make a significant impact on water savings, according to Guenther.
“The types of controllers we’re selling are part of a newer generation ... they work really well and customers can see a 30-40 percent reduction in their water bill. You put in a lot of information about plant type, soil type, slope and exposure so the controller can create a unique program for each zone you're watering,” he said.
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Each smart controller has a WaterSense label, which is part of an EPA program to help consumers identify more efficient products. You can also find the label on shower heads, toilets and faucets.
Watering Tip: According to the Irrigation Association, watering during the heat of the day can cause losses of up to 30 percent, so the best time to quench your plants is in the cool and calm of the early morning.
