Scientists at N.C. State have developed a Web site to help reduce water consumption.

Charles Peacock, professor in crop science, has created the Turf Irrigation Management System Water Management Program in conjunction with the State Climate Office.

According to Peacock, users can make an account with the Web site, and then answer several questions about their lawn. The site asks for location, what type of grass the person has and the amount of water they are currently using.

“Don’t guess how much you need to irrigate,” Peacock said. “You need to measure how much water you’re applying to your yard.” He said this can be done by just putting a can on a lawn to collect sprinkler water.

Ryan Boyles, director of SCO, said the site then receives information from one of more than a hundred automated weather gauges around the state. These readings will be the final step in deciding how much water should be put onto one’s grass.

Boyles said discussion of assistance in water conservation emerged during the drought in 2002.

He said staff at the Climate Office made a presentation to members of the Department of Crop Science and exchanged ideas with Peacock.

“We felt it was the right time to do this,” Peacock said.

The site opened two weeks ago, but Boyles said it was in development the last 18 months. He said they hope to improve it over the next year, to provide even more accurate weather information for users.

Peacock also said this project is not only for drought periods. He said it can be used in any climate conditions.

While many students are not homeowners who are responsible for irrigating, Peacock said he hopes the University will use the Web site to ensure it is using the right amounts of water irrigate the grounds.

Jack Colby, assistant vice chancellor for facilities operations, said the University is operating under the phase one restrictions set by the city of Raleigh. He said facilities operations has people looking at potential impacts of a phase two restriction, in case the city decides to implement one.

“This would change our watering from three days per week to no watering,” he said. Colby said irrigation experts are also checking the sprinkler systems for leaks or any malfunctions.

Boyles said any student can make a difference in conserving water.

“If you live in an apartment complex, make sure the management knows about how to preserve water,” he said.

Colby said students should report leaks right away if they see them. He said so far, the response has been very good in conserving water use.

Peacock said he wants people to be aware of the amount of water they are using.

“A lot of people let it run without a clue, and that isn’t an intelligent way to go about it,” he said.