July marks the peak of the season — for landscapes, outdoor water use and for the professionals who make every drop count. It’s also Smart Irrigation Month, a time to recognize the work you do every day to design, install and manage systems that deliver more than green lawns.
Here’s the reality: U.S. households use about 8 billion gallons of water outdoors each day — and a big portion of that goes to irrigation. Too much of it, though, is wasted. Poor design, outdated systems and mismanaged schedules can send up to half that water into the air or down the drain. The good news? We are fixing it with smarter systems, better practices and skilled professionals who know how to do it right.
Smart irrigation isn’t theoretical. It’s real, and it’s happening every day — at job sites, on properties and in conversations with customers. A contractor who replaces a standard controller with a weather-based system can save a homeowner 7,000–15,000 gallons of water annually — that’s up to $100 off a typical water bill each year, depending upon local rates. A designer who incorporates drip irrigation builds in long-term efficiency that lowers operating costs and adds value to the property. A technician who diagnoses a leak or fine-tunes a schedule isn’t just protecting turf; they’re helping customers avoid waste, reduce utility bills and extend the life of their systems.
Smart Irrigation Month gives our industry a chance to say that out loud. It’s an opportunity to educate the public, elevate the profession and reinforce what we already know: Smart irrigation is essential infrastructure. Not because it’s trendy — because it works.
At the Irrigation Association, we’re proud to support you in amplifying that message — because greater public awareness doesn’t just build understanding, it builds demand. But the real power of Smart Irrigation Month comes from you. The crew in matching shirts posting system tune-ups on Instagram. The company including water stats on its summer invoices. The professional who takes a few extra minutes to explain to a homeowner why a small upgrade yields big savings.
Those everyday moments of leadership matter. They build trust. They build understanding. And together, they build a smarter future for water.
This July, take a moment to celebrate where we are – and the role you play every day turning smart ideas into measurable results. The public may see sprinklers and controllers. We see stewardship, innovation and a deep pride in a job done right.
Thank you for making water work smarter. And thank you for leading this industry forward with purpose.
Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE
Irrigation Association Chief Executive Officer
