Last week we hosted nearly 30 irrigation contractors at our office for irrigation training, and to reveal to them our latest findings on a "Smart" controller pilot program we're conducting. This is the second year of this training and the second year for our "Preferred Irrigation Contractor" program. This program was initiated to open up lines of communication between Loudoun Water and irrigation professionals so they are aware of our demand issues and can help be a partner in protecting your water supply for the long term. Here's how it works:

If an irrigation company is licensed to do business in Loudoun, has become an EPA WaterSense partner, has at least one Certified Irrigation Contractor or Designer on staff, and has attended our annual training event, then they are eligible to be a Loudoun Water Preferred Irrigation Contractor. Through this partnership, participants have an edge over their competition in terms of a limited endorsement from us. Though we do not evaluate or make any promises as to their service style, we are confident they have the training, credentials and attitude to help you obtain a system that's been designed, installed and maintained properly, so you don't waste water. 

In exchange for that alignment with us, Loudoun Water obtains a partner in messaging about wise water use, and a real chance at affecting good wise water use behavior. One of the primary actions we ask for as part of the partnership is the irrigation contractor's assistance in setting systems to follow our preferred watering schedule, which is Odd addresses on Wednesdays and Saturdays, Even addresses on Thursdays and Sundays, and Commercial or Multi-family addresses on Tuesdays and Fridays, with noone watering on Mondays. This schedule helps distribute the demand for water more evenly over the course of the week as opposed to on the same manufacturer preset days. This protects our assets for the long term, helping to defer major investments further into the future.

So, whether you have an irrigation system already or are thinking about one, make sure your contractor is Loudoun Water Preferred.