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Sprinkler Installation Fees Grow in TX12-02-08 | News

Sprinkler Installation Fees Grow in TX

Some new requirements include placing sprinkler heads no closer than four inches from a sidewalk or street to prevent overspray, adding valves to shut off the water flow in case of line breaks and installing automatic controllers with water conservation features.

New state and local laws in Texas will require in-ground sprinkler systems installed in 2009 to be more efficient at conserving water ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Cities with populations over 20,000 have recently adopted or are working to adopt new ordinances that reflect state requirements for the installation of commercial and residential irrigation systems. Starting January 1, customers will have to get permits and inspections for their sprinkler systems as well as a checklist of rules designed to better regulate outdoor water usage to reduce runoff and evaporation. All sprinkler design plans, including those done by do-it-yourselfers, must now be reviewed and approved by the city.

Dallas?EUR??,,????'?????<

Outdoor watering accounts for about 50 percent of public drinking water usage during the summer, city officials said. Last July, the city of Arlington treated an average of 97 million gallons of water a day to keep up with demand ?EUR??,,????'?????<

And up to 50 percent of water for irrigation is wasted because people are over-watering, watering during the rain or heat of the day, or are watering impervious surfaces, officials said.

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Source: Susan Schrock, www.star-telegram.com