July is time to learn about smarter watering to conserve

SPOKANE, Wash. – July is Smart Irrigation Month. Despite recent rains, water is still in short supply in many parts of the Inland Northwest. Nearly half of all the water used in an entire year is consumed in the summer months. This means we use more water for outdoor watering than all other uses.

The National Irrigation Association started the observation of Smart Irrigation Month in 2005 to help raise awareness about the value of water efficiency. In the Spokane Coeur d’Alene area, the Regional Water Conservation Collaboration will emphasize Smart Irrigation Month by offering tips, workshops, and tours.

The Regional Water Conservation Collaboration is a group of local governments, water providers, non-profit organizations, interested businesses, and state agencies in North Idaho and northeastern Washington that collaborate, share information and use resources efficiently to promote water conservation in the region.

“Water conservation is fundamental to ensuring water availability in the future,” says Brook Beeler, environmental educator with the Department of Ecology’s Spokane office. “Using water more efficiently will lessen the effects of our limited water supply. Everyone can use more efficient irrigation practices to keep their lawn and gardens healthy, minimize waste and save money.”

“Slow the Flow” is the city of Spokane’s slogan for its water conservation program. The city is a member of the Regional Water Conservation Collaboration.

For water users who want to get their hands dirty and really save, a new how-to website has been launched by the Spokane County Conservation District with watershed planning funds from the Department of Ecology. It provides detailed information about low water use landscaping.

Website visitors can choose from five sample landscape designs, preview native plants and read Spokane Smartscape success stories.