Water Thought for the Month
Earthly conditions have been dramatic since the Creation with occasional lulls providing opportunities for growth in between the less-subtle growth opportunities of cataclysmic events. Some might think of the current water scarcity conditions as cataclysmic while others would temper that as hyperbole. In any case, the current water conditions are significant as is so graphically displayed in the California argument as to whether one almond deserves one gallon of water(1).
To avoid being a deep-seeded, negatively viewed, community ornament in the nut conversation of the day, AEC recommends that facilities managers, contractors, or their mechanics inspect rain sensors and verify operation. This is important for both smart and non-smart irrigation controllers.
Several recent less-than-favorable public commentaries have been made concerning church watering practices. KSL, Salt Lake City, Utah’s most prominent news radio station conducts a weekly greenhouse show. One Saturday a local listener commented how that the Church must not think water is a problem since they like to water at all times of the day (2). Salt Lake City, Utah’s Public Utilities Group contacted AEC about meetinghouse irrigation systems watering during the day while rain was falling. Facebook became another forum on which residents of a local community could vent frustrations over Church properties running during storm events.
This water thought of the month is not a discussion as to the effectiveness of running irrigation during a storm. There are some documented merits to doing so. While the rain sensor may do little for the overall water efficiency, there is a significant negative public image perception when we irrigate during rain events. That being said, AEC recommends rain sensors be checked regularly to avoid watering during rain events. Most rain sensors will work well in the first year, but their operation needs to be verified thereafter. Some rain sensors require new batteries for operation. Others just stop working. We often expect our contractors to perform the check, but history has shown the check is rarely executed. Performing this simple check will provide a great deal of Church Public Relations benefit.
(1) Knickmeyer, Ellen. Almonds Get Roasted in Debate Over California Water Use. KSL.com. Last updated April 19, 2015. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=157&sid=34300062
(2) This should be qualified with the fact that in some locations such as American Fork, Utah, water agencies have asked FMs to water during the day to avoid too much pressure loss.
