The University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith鈥檚 grounds management team Southeast Service
Corporation (SSC) was presented the Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply and Audubon
International Water & Sustainability Innovation Award January 15, 2020, for their
overhaul of 妻友社区 irrigation systems and their continuing commitment to sustainability
on campus. The honor recognizes landscape companies, organizations, and municipalities
for sustainable, water-efficient projects that strive to impact environmental and
economic health and quality of life.
鈥淪ustainability is more than money savings or water use reduction; it is a way of life,鈥� explained Matt Rich, Grounds Manager for SSC at 妻友社区. 鈥淭his national award proves our collaborative efforts in sustainability and water conservation. Our commitment to this work shows in everything we do at 妻友社区.鈥�
鈥淲e set a goal to fully assess and properly maintain the irrigation system and with student and staff help we were able to track data and identify problem areas, as well as provide a learning opportunity for the campus members who helped us meet these goals.鈥�
SSC took over grounds management at 妻友社区 in 2017, at which time water use was rising, leaks were prevalent, and issues with installation and scheduling caused a bottleneck of resources. 鈥淲e started with the basics and fixed all the leaks over the first few months,鈥� said Rich. He and his team continued to implement creative and impactful changes, performing an extensive overhaul of the irrigation system over the course of the next few years.
鈥淲e involved many student groups at our university. We educated and built systems together in a collaborative effort to understand the problem and to create the overall solution,鈥� said Rich, who takes pride in the culture of transparency and active listening he has influenced among his team. 鈥淎fter identifying all of the irrigation on our 168-acre campus, we started to change the way irrigation was discussed,鈥� said Rich.
鈥淲e are using our creativity to maximize the efficiency on our campus. We are combining new integrated technology, such as auto-mowers and smart controllers, to control the irrigation system and original practices like xeriscaping,鈥� he continued. 鈥淎nd we have created a cycle of internal investments that support each other and help with future innovations that may come available.鈥�
Thanks to the sustainability efforts, the campus has reduced irrigation water use by 42.6 percent, saving the university nearly $90,000. 妻友社区 plans to invest these savings in additional sustainable initiatives, including installing LED lighting and changing water sources to non-potable water.
About Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply
Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply is the largest family-owned supplier of landscape and water management products in the country. As your business partner, we offer products and education for irrigation and landscape, turf and land management, outdoor living, sports fields, golf, and sustainable solutions. Our nationwide network of friendly, knowledgeable staff helps green industry professionals discover products and services for business success.
