Common myths about water conservation in a drought

For eight of the last 10 years, Utah has been in a drought. Unfortunately, with the Utah Division of Water Resources reporting that the state's snowpack is 25% below normal this year, things haven't improved much. However, state leaders stress that even though no one knows how long the drought will last, businesses and individuals do have control over how they respond to current conditions.

If property owners truly want to help with conservation efforts, it's important to distinguish between fact and fiction when it comes to water use during drought conditions. Here are five myths about water conservation that all Utahns — particularly large businesses and companies — need to be aware of as the state heads into the warm summer months. Those myths include: water conservation means going without water, the worst time to water your property is between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., irrigation systems are a waste of money during a drought, a regular timer helps save water, and there's not much you can do to help.

Water conservation means going without water

If the word conservation makes you think of bans and restrictions, you probably don't have the right definition in mind. According to Encyclopedia.com, the real purpose of water conservation is "to reduce the demand for water, improve the efficiency of its use, and reduce losses and waste."

This doesn't mean that you stop using water entirely — it just means being smarter about how you use it. Last year, Gov. Spencer Cox and the Salt Lake Chamber called on business owners to upgrade their water systems as part of the Water Champions H2Oath Campaign. Schools, parks and businesses can save thousands of gallons of water by using an intelligent sprinkler system.

The worst time to water your property is between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

You're probably familiar with the rule to avoid watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. This guideline makes sense because water evaporates faster during these hours. But the outside temperature isn't the only factor to keep in mind when you're watering.

While Slow the Flow does recommend avoiding those peak daytime hours, the website also states that watering during windy conditions is even worse. That's because the wind will cause you to waste more water than evaporation will. If nighttime is consistently windy where you live, picking a less windy time during the day is better — unless you live somewhere with time-of-day watering restrictions.

Irrigation systems are a waste of money during a drought

Again, water conservation doesn't mean neglecting all the green growing things on your property. Just the opposite is true. Trees and shrubs help drought conditions because they retain soil moisture by keeping the ground shaded and cool. So, rather than letting everything die, the smart thing to do is to invest in a good water irrigation system that not only saves water but also saves money. This is particularly important for commercial property owners, property managers, landlords and maintenance professionals who oversee larger areas of land.

Here in Utah, weather can change in mere minutes and a busted pipe can happen to anyone, anytime. The Smart Rain SmartController™ gives you automatic access to your system wherever you are. This allows you to stop watering when it rains, quickly locate leaks or system damage and monitor any areas where you may be overwatering. The SmartController™ handles up to 48 zones and allows you to conveniently set the watering specifications for each zone through your smartphone.

A regular timer helps save water

You might think that water conservation is a simple matter of cutting watering sessions short and sticking to a specified amount of time, right? Wrong. A timer won't account for the state of your lawn or its current needs. That's another reason why using a smart irrigation system is a good idea. It monitors your soil while accounting for current weather conditions to determine when and how much water to disburse.

There's not much you can do to help

This may be the biggest myth of all. The truth is every effort toward water conservation helps and no effort is too small. Writing for The Balance Small Business, Marni Evans says, "Water conservation requires forethought and effort, but every little bit helps. Don't think that what you do does not matter. We can all make changes in our lifestyles to reduce our water usage. The trick is making water conservation a way of life—not just something we think about once in a while."

Here's a smart solution to saving water — and your property

Now that you know some of the myths surrounding water conservation, it's time to learn the facts. If saving water (and money) is your goal, installing an intelligent irrigation and controller system is the smart thing to do.

The Smart Rain team is all about minimizing water consumption, keeping your lawn healthy, and cutting irrigation costs. Their goal is to help conserve water while bringing value to your property. On average, Smart Rain's award-winning technology saves customers 150 hours, $26,000 and 4 million gallons of water each year.

Getting started with Smart Rain is easy — all you have to do is contact them. They'll evaluate your landscaping's current sprinkler systems and show you the value that their systems and controllers will bring. The sooner you act, the sooner you save! To get a free quote, visit smartrain.net today.

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