Irrigation
Commercial Irrigation
The presence of irrigation systems at businesses such as office buildings, shopping and retail centers, and hotels can greatly increase the amount of water that businesses use—accounting for as much as 80 percent of peak water use and 30 percent of total annual water use. Because some experts estimate that as much as 50 percent, of landscape irrigation water is wasted because of evaporation, wind, improper system design, or overwatering, businesses could realize cost-savings by watering more efficiently or installing more water-efficient landscaping.
Learn More:
- GreenScapes, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for landscaping.
- EPA also published the guidance document Water-Efficient Landscaping (PDF).
Residential Irrigation
Even though irrigating a lawn is not always necessary to keeping it green in Pennsylvania, many Pennsylvanians opt to periodically water to maintain its attractiveness when temperatures rise and rainfall is scarce. Unfortunately, most homeowners don't understand proper landscape care or employ appropriate irrigation techniques. In fact, some experts estimate that as much as 50 percent of landscape irrigation water is wasted because of evaporation, wind, improper system design, or overwatering.
Exacerbating the problem of water waste due to overwatering is the growing number of irrigation systems installed with many new homes, many of which are improperly used.
Learn More:
- The Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension provides guidance on water resource issues including lawn care and gardening. Locate your local cooperative extension office for regional information.