Nassau County, NY – In an effort to promote long-term water conservation, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Legislator Siela A. Bynoe kicked off the “Smart Sprinkler” Reimbursement Program. Through the new County initiative, eligible Nassau County homeowners can apply for a partial reimbursement for the cost of installing weather-based irrigation controller technology - commonly referred to as smart sprinkler systems - at their home.
“This summer, as we go through an abnormally dry season, we are reminded of how important it is to conserve our precious water,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “Each summer, water usage goes up 400%. We can make a difference by changing our habits, and embracing technology to do the job for us. I hope this reimbursement encourages people to upgrade to a smarter lawn watering system, which will save water — and help residents save money on their water bills.”
“By incentivizing the use of proven water-saving technology, the Smart Sprinkler Reimbursement Program puts money back into the pockets of residents while supporting Nassau County’s ongoing efforts to conserve and protect our most precious natural resource,” said Nassau County Legislator Siela A. Bynoe. “I urge every eligible homeowner to take full advantage of this initiative - one that bolsters regional efforts to preserve our single-source aquifer as a reliable supply of clean, safe, and plentiful drinking water for future generations.”
Qualified homeowners can receive up to a $150 credit toward the cost of installing a smart sprinkler system. The reimbursement program does not apply to residents who are already eligible through their water supplier for financial assistance in purchasing smart sprinkler technology. Rebates are drawn from a $100,000 allocation and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents can apply for the reimbursement by visiting www.nassaucountyny.gov/1547/consumer-affairs
Weather-based irrigation controllers are equipped with smart water sensors that detect rainfall and prevent over-watering. Smart sprinkler systems supplement this data with a variety of metrics and data provided by the user to determine how fast water will evaporate from soil in a yard. Based on this information, smart sprinkler systems can break up watering times into smaller segments automatically to maximize efficiency, help water soak in, and reduce run-off. Smart sprinklers also monitor temperature, keep track of previous weather and adjust irrigation levels to meet the needs of each zone. These smart adaptations help save water and in turn save the homeowner money on their water bill.
