Kane County Launches Smart Sprinkler Pilot Program to Promote Water Conservation and Lower Utility Costs
Kane County is launching a pilot program to help residents conserve water, reduce their utility bills, and protect the county's long-term groundwater supply. The project focuses on promoting the use of smart sprinkler systems, which can reduce outdoor water use by up to 47% while still maintaining a healthy lawn.
As part of this initiative, Kane County is partnering with high water users, providing smart irrigation systems at no cost in exchange for participation in a study. The goal is to evaluate how smart irrigation technologies like the Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer can help reduce water consumption.
“This is a chance for residents to take meaningful action toward sustainability while also saving money," said Sarra Hinshaw, Kane County Sustainability Manager. “We're especially looking for participants with monthly water bills over $400 who are willing to share their usage data."
With area aquifers steadily declining over the past century, Kane County is calling on residents to conserve water for the benefit of future generations. According to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), Kane County needs to reduce water use by 12.2 million gallons per day to maintain a sustainable supply.
This pilot aligns with Kane County's broader 2040 Energy Plan, which commits the county to:
- Lead by example in water and energy efficiency across the region
- Encourage municipalities, residents, and businesses to reduce consumption
- Cut energy use in county buildings by 10–25%
Residents interested in participating in the smart irrigation pilot program should contact Sarra Hinshaw at 630-208-8665 or hinshawsarra@kanecountyil.gov. Participants must reside in Kane County, have high monthly water usage, and be willing to share data as part of the conservation study.
https://www.kanecountyil.gov/FDER/Pages/environmentalResources/energy.aspx
