Calgary irrigation company feels the pinch of outdoor water restrictions
Global News
A Calgary irrigation company says stage three water restrictions imposed by the city are having an impact on keeping trees and other plants alive.
The parched grass and trees around Deerfoot Meadows are feeling the pain of Calgary’s ongoing watering restrictions.
From his smartphone, Darren Kovacs is able to see real-time soil conditions, which have reached their wilting point, meaning some trees and other plants could suffer irreversible damage.
“We’re starting to see some trees going into stress and plants going into stress,” said Kovacs, CEO of ExactET Systems Inc.
The situation with the soil and trees is getting critical, he said.
“A few more days of this weather if it doesn’t rain, you’re going to see a lot more deterioration of the landscape, which is extremely costly to our clients when they have to start replacing those landscaping assets,” he said.
Officials from the City of Calgary say stage three water restrictions will remain in place until at least Monday, meaning irrigation companies, like the one run by Kovacs, can’t get back to work.
Kovacs said his company provides clients with technology designed to measure moisture loss or gain on an hourly basis, eliminating waste by automatically adjusting the watering schedule for changing climatic conditions.
The technology will only water when necessary as opposed to using a timer.
