John Ossa

In a relatively short time the irrigation segment of the landscape industry has experienced substantial change. In the October 2002 issue of Irrigation Business Technology, the former official publication of the Irrigation Association, is a report entitled “Annual State of Landscape Irrigation Report, 2002.”

The introductory paragraph says “… lingering effects of the events of September 11, 2001. A struggling stock market, rocked by corporate scandal, was further cause for the closing of checkbooks...” And: “2002 – the worst drought on record in some areas.” 

It is fascinating to not see any reference to a “green” or sustainability movement. I did not see the words ecology or or carbon footprint. The only instance where I saw the word evapotranspiration was in an advertisement for a weather station. The report predated WaterSense; there was no reference to any contractor group certification or training initiatives, or the IA’s own certification programs.

Of particular interest in this issue is then-president of the Irrigation Association Rex Dixon’s column, where he wrote: “Residential and commercial irrigation systems are not efficient users of water.” And: “The facts are, the landscape irrigation industry is a very visible user and abuser of water, with irrigation systems operating in the rain … with most irrigation controllers set to overwater.” His overview of our industry was “we in the landscape irrigation industry have hidden behind this ‘agriculture is the issue’ umbrella for too long.”

John Ossa owns Irrigation Essentials, a web-based irrigation consulting firm. See www.irrigationessentials.com; mail ossa@gie.net.