Nevada State Bill 220 and Maryland HB0772 go into effect Jan. 1, 2024.
The two new laws have direct impacts on the irrigation industry.
In Maryland, the legislation has a narrow focus.
According to the bill, spray sprinkler bodies not specifically excluded from the scope of the WaterSense Specification for Spray Sprinkler Bodies Version 1.0 must include an integral pressure regulator. Additionally, these sprinkler bodies are required to meet water efficiency performance criteria and other requirements specified in the WaterSense program.
The Nevada law introduces measures for landscaping irrigation, water efficiency monitoring and restrictions on the use of Colorado River water.
The 36-page bill establishes new standards for landscaping irrigation fixtures in new constructions, expansions and renovations, including mandating the use and installation of WaterSense-certified irrigation controllers and spray sprinkler bodies.
“These requirements are framed a little differently than others,” says Nathan Bowen, Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virgina, advocacy and public affairs vice president. “While most states have taken the approach of establishing point-of-sale requirements, the Nevada legislation establishes requirements for the installers. It also includes provisions that could result in a patchwork of local requirements for these products.”
The Nevada bill mandates a state-led irrigation water efficiency monitoring program and authorizes the Southern Nevada Water Authority to impose water use restrictions for single-family residences under certain conditions.
Additionally, Nevada SB220 prohibits using Colorado River water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on non-single-family residential properties, with a plan to phase out such turf by the end of 2026.
“Nevada has long been a leader in implementing innovative water conservation efforts,” Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, R-Nevada, said in a statement after signing the bill into law.
“This legislation builds on our efforts to protect sustainable growth on the county and state levels. I’m grateful for the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s leadership in advocating for measures to ensure the Las Vegas Valley has access to clean and stable water into the future.”
Bowen says that the new Nevada law is indicative of a trend in the industry.
“While we have seen numerous states enact requirements for WaterSense-labeled spray sprinkler bodies in recent years, requirements for WaterSense-labeled irrigation controllers are likely to become more prevalent in the coming years,” he says. “In addition to the new requirements for irrigation controllers that are going into effect in Nevada this year, Colorado enacted requirements that take effect in 2026 and California is considering new regulations to this effect as we speak.”
