New Sprinkler Standards Will Save Water and Energy for California
The California Energy Commission approved new sprinkler efficiency regulations, which will save California up to 152 billion gallons of water and nearly a billion dollars per year.
The new efficiency standards, which were adopted at the August 14 business meeting, includes new definitions, minimum efficiency performance standards, and certification requirements. The standards take effect October 1, 2020.
The efficiency standards for irrigation sprinklers would prevent excess water pressure and over-irrigation through better pressure regulation. The savings are an estimated $27 for each replaced sprinkler. Cumulatively, this could result in $955 million dollars of stock savings per year for consumers statewide.
Landscape irrigation uses over 1.1 trillion gallons of water per year and accounts for half of California’s urban water use. In a drought-prone state, reducing over-irrigation is a significant opportunity since 50 percent more water is applied than is needed.
“Water and energy are precious,” said Commissioner Andrew McAllister. “This new rule helps Californians care for both.”
Commissioner Patty Monahan said the water savings would be equivalent to the residential water use of Sacramento and Los Angeles for an entire year.
“We’re saving money for consumers,” Monahan said, “We’re helping save the environment. We’re helping cut pollution and reduce electricity use. It’s just really impressive.”
Several speakers at the meeting offered their support of the standards, including Ron Wolfarth, corporate communications manager for Rain Bird Corporation, a major manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services.
Wolfarth said the company considers the regulation as leveraging a proven technology to address the precarious water supply in California.
Edward Osann, director of the National Water Use Efficiency, Water Initiatives, Healthy People and Thriving Communities Program for the Natural Resources Defense Council, praised the measure as a remarkable achievement.
More about the regulation can be found at: https://ww2.energy.ca.gov/appliances/2019-AAER-01/.
