Water Conservation

To anyone paying bills in the Atlanta area, Georgia water conservation should be more than an afterthought. In 2007, water rates rose over 27% throughout Buckhead and metro Atlanta. Again, the city of Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management voted to further increase rates in 2009. For the 2009 budget, the Atlanta City Council approved rate increases of 27.5%, 12.5%, 12.5% and 12 percent through 2012 totaling a 206% increase in water rates over the last 10 years. Given the unfavorable federal ruling, the aged water supply infrastructure, and the ongoing tri-state water wars, the cost of water is only going to continue to rise.

As if rising costs weren’t enough, the continued population growth projections in Atlanta, and the rest of Georgia, have led to more and more of a demand on an already distressed water source. Water restrictions aside, it’s become quite clear that Georgia water conservation needs to be at the forefront of all of our landscape and irrigation needs.

The recent drought, subsequent water restrictions, and rising water costs have caused homeowners to seriously consider Georgia water conservation. Grass Roots Irrigation is committed to helping Georgia conserve water and its residents save money. Operating a traditional irrigation system, even with an irrigation meter, can cost the average homeowner anywhere from $500 to over $1,500 per month during the growing season. And that cost is scheduled to increase by over 40% through 2012!

To assist in Georgia water conservation, Grass Roots Irrigation promotes the use of new technologies and advancements in the irrigation industry to save tremendous amounts of water. Well drilling, water efficient sprinkles and irrigation controllers allow you to better target your landscape, . By using water more effectively, reducing your monthly water bill, a new irrigation installation will pay for itself in no time.

For example, a rain sensor can usually be installed for under $250. The rain sensor can result in the conservation of tens of thousands of gallons of water annually by preventing the irrigation system from running during, and immediately following, periods of rain.

More progressive water conservation methods, like rainwater harvesting or well drilling can make a huge impact on water conservation. Capturing rainwater that would otherwise runoff as overflow or pulling water from deep underground can greatly reduce or even eliminate your dependence on the city water supply. Using rainwater or well water to irrigate your landscape promotes water conservation with the added benefit of lowering your water bill.

High adoption rates of irrigation products and conservation technologies would result in a vast change in our current water struggle. Water restrictions and annually increasing water rates would all but stop. Georgia water conservation is necessity and Grass Roots Irrigation is dedicated to the cause.