PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE -- JULY 2008 Receently we had the Mobile Irrigation Lab visit our home. The men checked pump flow rates, sprinkler pressure, and uniformity of application. Soon after the inspection we received a written report in the mail and recommendations for improving our system’s performance. This service is free of charge – funding and support are from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the South Florida Water Management District. According to the website, since 1992 the Miami-Dade Mobile Irrigation Lab has documented the POTENTIAL water savings of over 2.2 BILLION gallons, enough water to supply a day’s worth of water for almost 13 million people. The website for the South Dade Soil and Water Conservation District is http://www.southdadeswcd.org/index.htm and you will see a link for Mobile Irrigation Lab. Another service that they offer is analysis of water for pH, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, hardness and nitrate. The MIL report motivated us to have our irrigation system serviced and many sprinkler heads and mister heads replaced. Some of the old ones were just worn out, some were clogged up, and some were not reaching far enough. New technology has produced more efficient sprinkler heads, which is especially important with the current water restriction rules. We also had a filter installed just past the well pump and that should keep a lot of the sediment from clogging the heads, which has been a constant battle in the shade houses. I know that our grass and orchids will be happier now and we feel virtuous for saving water. Happy July! Sandy Schultz President