The balancing act

With much of the nation facing drought conditions, irrigation pros must balance water restrictions with client demands for healthy landscapes — industry experts share how.

Navigating the tightrope between municipal water restrictions and client demands for pristine, green landscapes demands a fundamental shift in how irrigation professionals approach their craft. This is no easy task, considering that this summer, more than half (58%) of the contiguous United States was actively in a classified drought status, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System (drought.gov). The footprint across the U.S. as of June 1 is immense, with 45 of 50 states experiencing drought conditions, affecting roughly 156 million Americans, according to government estimations.

IN THIS ISSUE

CEO Message

IA CEO Natasha Rankin reflects on Smart Irrigation Month, the expanding role of water reuse, and how professional expertise — not technology alone — drives lasting impact for communities across the green industry.

Irrigation pipeline

Christopher Pine urges contractors to move from passive awareness of water policy to active engagement — arguing the industry’s future depends on its voice being heard.

Night lighting

Kevin Smith walks through how to match low-voltage fixtures to every application — from path lights and accent lighting to tree fixtures and advanced techniques — for professional results that reduce callbacks.

Taking care of business

Kyle McCarthy argues that the most successful irrigation and lighting contractors in 2026 aren’t generating the most leads — they’re generating better ones and converting them into higher-value work.

Legislative Update

Andrew Morris explains how drought restrictions have grown more complex in 2026 — and urges contractors to learn the rules, engage with utilities and share field experiences with the IA.

IA update

The Irrigation Association announces its 2026 award recipients in education, innovation and industry achievement, opens Irrigation Show registration, and names the eight 2026 LaFetra scholarship winners.

FEATURES

Let there be night

Lighting experts Dawn Hollingsworth, Wes Jackson and Thomas Paterson explain how the five principles of responsible outdoor lighting can reduce light pollution while still delivering the aesthetically compelling results clients want.

Reduce, recycle, reuse

From the EPA’s new Water Reuse Action Plan 2.0 to graywater systems and industrial applications, water reuse is rapidly moving from niche practice to mainstream infrastructure across residential and commercial landscapes.