I have been saying for years (yes, to the water department and council) that rain sensors should be mandated for all sprinkler systems, not only new systems. They don’t cost that much to install, although they have to be installed correctly. They aren’t perfect–it could pour five minutes after a watering, for example–but they are a terrific development and ought to be relied upon. Existing systems should never have been grandfathered. This could change with a simple new ordinance.
The next step would be maintenance and oversight. Every year I have to ask the sprinkler crew to test my rain sensor. It is not part of their regular spring turn-on-the-system routine, nor was it for my previous service, which installed it in the first place, but it should be.
Police driving around at 5 AM can easily identify which sprinklers are on when they shouldn’t be, because it’s the wrong day or it is raining or has just rained. Tickets could follow. I don’t want to be told to turn in my neighbors, although an anonymous tip line would surely uncover a large number of violations.
Education is needed. In my experience most people have no clue how to work their systems and no interest in learning. A few fines might inspire them to read the manual or make a call.
How will this new regulation be implemented?
The Village does not even know that I have sprinklers.
Do not add more government to the overreaching government that we already have.
Less government is good government.
“Less government is good government”. Bless your heart!
Pretty close the village third rail as usual James
3:46 pm, how to implement:
The council would pass an ordinance. The village and water department would notify all customers. It would be placed on the village website and press releases would go to the local papers. Emailed to residents who have signed up for such notices. Announced at council meetings. All local sprinkler companies would be notified in an official letter, perhaps signed jointly by the village manager and the director of the water department. Notices would be printed or inserted in water bills for the next year or two.
If this were decided and announced before the end of the year or at least before the end of the winter, all home owners whose sprinkler systems lack a rain sensor could ask their sprinkler companies to install one when they come to turn on the system in the spring, so that nobody would have to pay for an extra house call. There would have to be reminders.
As for too much government, it’s for the general good and no different from enforced recycling and so on. People get used to it. Might take a couple of years.
If enough water were conserved in this way, it might permit less stringent watering restrictions in the summer. The home owner would save money by not wasting water when sprinkling in the rain or just after it.
New installations of sprinkler systems must have rain sensors by STATE LAW. It was the grandfathering of existing systems when this all started that was dumb.
frankly I think fixing the problem instead of living in a third world country would be a better idea
3:46. Your plan will not work. And we do not have restrictions because there is not enough water.
Government does not exist to make petty laws. The “greater good” of rain sensors is a weak argument.
Why not mandate solar panels on all homes, and everyone must drive electric cars?
And force all residents to turn the light out when they leave the room?
Digging a well sounds easier…
You have no idea what living in the third world is like James. And you never will.
and you know this how????????? please enlighten us with your brilliance
I think this mandate would have a lot more positive impact on more peoples lives, then say the current ridiculousness over transgender bathroom laws.
I bet You James have never left the comfortable surroundings of The USA and most likely the state New Jersey. So enlighten me how could you know what living in a third world country is like.
$100 grand and show me the money?