Laws of the Land(scape)

Frank, Luke, Landscape & Irrigation

All politics are local. Consequently it is difficult to track the ever-evolving laws, torts, codes, statutes, ordinances, edicts, decrees, and regulations that affect the irrigation and landscaping industries in municipalities across the country. However, we can focus on the bigger picture: legislation that targets territory.

Some of us deal with these rules of conduct daily, while others only must observe under drought conditions. For irrigators in the U.S., there may be rules for conduct, including:

* even/odd watering days;

* incremental watering days;

* time-of-day watering;

* water budgeting;

* plant restrictions;

* automatic control systems;

* purple components for recycled water;

* rain sensors -- and more.

Whatever the case, legislation is generally intended to bring about order, and frankly, to protect "turf." Whether it's the landscape and irrigation industries wanting control over the installation of backflow preventers or a point of connection to potable supplies, or low-voltage lighting and other components, or municipalities and agencies protecting their vital interests in water through conservation measures.

"Water quality and availability are two issues constantly being addressed in legislation," asserts Tom Kimmell, executive director of the Irrigation Association. "Our concern is that when water supplies are strained, the rules might call for turning off irrigation systems. There should be a series of moderate steps that the landscape and irrigation industries can take before the water is turned oil Automatic irrigation should be part of the …

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Article title: Laws of the Land(scape). Contributors: Frank, Luke - Author. Magazine title: Landscape & Irrigation. Volume: 24. Issue: 3 Publication date: March 2000. Page number: 38. © 2009 Bev-AL Communications, Inc. COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group.

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