New "Sprinklers 101" Website Provides Tools for Outdoor Water Conservation

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - May 1, 2013) - The Save Our Water program is launching a new "Sprinklers 101" web-based resource today to provide information and online tools about water-efficient residential irrigation. Timed to coincide with May's Water Awareness Month, this new site (www.saveourh2o.org/sprinklers101) offers online, printed and video resources on water-efficient irrigation to homeowners and landscape professionals.

The Save Our Water program, which was created by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) in 2009, educates consumers on ways to reduce their household water use. Outdoor water use is a major focus of the program since, in many areas, 50% or more of residential water use goes to lawns and outdoor landscaping. 

"May is a time when people start spending more time outdoors," said ACWA Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs and Operations Jennifer Persike. "Save Our Water's new website gives consumers the information they need to improve the water efficiency of their sprinkler system. Even small changes can yield big water savings." 

Sprinklers 101 provides information on installing and converting an existing system to drip irrigation, information on smart controllers and links to sprinkler controller manuals (for homeowners who may not know how to program their current controller). Landscape professionals will find information about water-wise gardening, professional licensing and education and more.

"Because Californians use the majority of water on their landscape, investing in a more water-efficient sprinkler system will save water today and for the long-term," said DWR Director Mark Cowin. "After our unusually dry winter, it is critical that we all do our part to help stretch the state's water supply."

Dry Winter Makes Conservation Critical
Despite an extremely wet December, California's winter ultimately turned out to be one of the driest on record. At the end of March (the latest snow survey), the snow pack was only 52% of the historical average. The last snow survey of the year is scheduled for May 2.

Water Awareness Month started as a joint effort between DWR and ACWA during California's 1987-1992 drought as an effort to educate the public about the importance of water use efficiency and conservation. Today, DWR and local water agencies conduct public outreach and education events during the month of May to teach Californians new ways to save water.

To learn more about the Save Our Water program, visit www.saveourh2o.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Save Our Water is a joint program founded and run by the California Department of Water Resources and the Association of California Water Agencies.