High-efficiency sprinkler nozzles may help parched lawns during drought

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- Watering restrictions have resulted in brown lawns in many areas of Southern California. High-efficiency sprinkler nozzles could help, and many homeowners could get them free from their water district.

If we weren't in the middle of a drought, who wouldn't want lush, green grass like the lawn outside of Geri Hunt's home in Riverside? Before you criticize Hunt, you should know that she is using high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles that save both water and money.

Hunt's water bill used to be $600 per month.

"I've already, in just the first two months, saved 32 percent," Hunt said. That added up to $200 per month. Not only that, Hunt got the sprinkler nozzles for free.

"We're pretty excited about that," Hunt said.

Ryan McManus of Riverside Public Utilities said the nozzles are available for free in just about every county in California.

"One of my co-workers woke up at 2 in the morning with the idea and passed the idea onto Western Municipal Water District, and then together as a team, we built this program which is now spreading throughout the state like wildfire," McManus said.

Why do these nozzles work so much better than a traditional nozzle? Both kinds have very similar spray patterns. However, the efficient nozzle oscillates the water, which is one reason for the increased efficiency.

"It makes the water droplets larger and more consistent in size. So, on a day like today when it's warm with a little breeze, you don't get the misting effect and the wind would blow it away," explained Robert Starr with Toro Irrigation Division. "Having the larger water droplets when they spread out from the nozzle, you get better, what we call, distribution uniformity. So they're heavier water droplets with more mass. So when they get dispersed, they fall where you want them to be."

The nozzles require no special tools and are very easy to install.

"I didn't even break a nail," Hunt said.

You can find out more about high-efficiency nozzles at www.freesprinklernozzles.com.