Yesterday, on July 14th, the Toro Company, North Carolina Green Industry Council, N.C. State University and Smith Turf & Irrigation presented “Success Without Excess”, a day long event in support of The Irrigation Associations Smart Irrigation Month. The event was held at the North Carolina State University’s McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC, and featured speakers “from government, water utilities, academics, industry and regulatory agencies to present and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing North Carolina water-use stakeholders” (http://www.torowatersmart.com/agenda.htm).
Representative Ruth Samuelson spoke on North Carolina’s lack of a comprehensive water strategy, and the need for long-term leadership in this growing policy area. She stated that N.C. needs to develop a water policy in order to help attract new businesses to our state, because right now we are lagging behind other states in the region who have already come up with such policies . Rep. Samuelson has been involved with several water bills down at the General Assembly including HB 787 and HB 609, which was signed into law by the Governor last month. Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton was the special guest speaker at lunch and read Governor Perdue’s Proclamation making July smart irrigation month.
Other speakers discussed ways to increase water efficiency, develop successful rebate programs, the values of landscaping, and water saving opportunities for the future. Overall the event was very informative and covered a wide array of topics that will become increasingly important, as the demand for water continues to increase in North Carolina and around the world.
