Bill Text: NJ SJR91 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates month of July of each year as "Smart Irrigation Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-07-01 - Substituted by AJR137 [SJR91 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-SJR91-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Designates month of July of each year as "Smart Irrigation Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the month of July of each year as "Smart Irrigation Month."
Whereas, In the United States, nine billion gallons of water are used for residential outdoor use each day and more water is used in July than in any other month; and
Whereas, Approximately 70 percent of a household's water use is dedicated to outdoor purposes during hot, dry summer months to irrigate lawns and landscapes, yet half of the water ends up evaporating or running off; and
Whereas, It is possible to reduce outdoor household water use by 20 to 40 percent by using efficient irrigation technologies, or "smart irrigation"; and
Whereas, Smart irrigation techniques can include drip irrigation methods in gardens, flower beds, and landscapes; controllers that estimate soil moisture or specific water needs of plants so excess water use is minimized; or rotating sprinkler nozzles that apply water much more slowly and uniformly than conventional spray nozzles, allowing the water to soak into the ground instead of running off; and
Whereas, A growing number of municipalities in the State have adopted ordinances encouraging the conservation of water through the use of smart irrigation; and
Whereas, Everyone from homeowners to business owners can employ smart irrigation techniques to improve their water conservation habits; and
Whereas, Smart irrigation techniques not only conserve water resources but also produce financial savings from water consumers using lower amounts of water; and
Whereas, Adopting smart irrigation techniques will further improve water-use efficiency in both residential and commercial activities; and
Whereas, Smart irrigation techniques also can significantly improve agricultural water-use efficiency by reducing runoff while achieving greater agricultural yields per acre-foot of water used and producing healthier crops; and
Whereas, It is imperative to increase public awareness about the benefits of water-use efficiency through smart irrigation techniques; and
Whereas, Smart irrigation techniques help conserve water, which is a finite resource that is vital to human life; and
Whereas, Smart irrigation techniques allow for the proper care of well-maintained green spaces that are important to the health and well-being of communities in the State; and
Whereas,
It is important to recognize the benefits of smart irrigation techniques for
the environment and the future of the citizens of the State and of the nation;
now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of July of each year is designated as "Smart Irrigation Month" to increase public awareness of the importance of smart irrigation techniques for the economic, health, and environmental benefits they bring to all citizens of the State and of the nation.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the State to observe "Smart Irrigation Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution would designate the month of July of each year as "Smart Irrigation Month" to increase public awareness of the importance of smart irrigation techniques for the economic, health, and environmental benefits they bring to all citizens of the State and of the nation.
In the United States, nine billion gallons of water are used for residential outdoor use each day and more water is used in July than in any other month. Approximately 70 percent of a household's water use is dedicated to outdoor purposes during hot, dry summer months to irrigate lawns and landscapes, yet half of the water ends up evaporating or running off. It is possible to reduce outdoor household water use by 20 to 40 percent by using efficient irrigation technologies, or "smart irrigation."
Smart irrigation techniques can include drip irrigation methods in gardens, flower beds, and landscapes; controllers that estimate soil moisture or specific water needs of plants so excess water use is minimized; or rotating sprinkler nozzles that apply water much more slowly and uniformly than conventional spray nozzles, allowing the water to soak into the ground instead of running off.
Adopting smart irrigation techniques will improve water-use efficiency in both residential and commercial activities. Smart irrigation techniques can also significantly improve agricultural water-use efficiency by reducing runoff while achieving greater agricultural yields per acre-foot of water used and producing healthier crops. Smart irrigation techniques not only conserve water resources but also produce financial savings from water consumers using lower amounts of water. Smart irrigation techniques will also help conserve water, which is a finite resource that is vital to human life. Further, smart irrigation techniques allow for the proper care of well-maintained green spaces that are important to the health and well-being of communities in the State.
