Many people living in the desert southwest feel the need to have large rolling lawns as if they were some English country squire. This leads to wasteful sprinkler use, depleting valuable water resources.

It may be possible for these people to attain their desired greenery in a more environmentally friendly way. I envision sod farms where square meter SodModules are grown directly on a frame containing a grid of small pipes. These pipes drip water into a subgrass matrix of polyacrylimide gel. A pipe skeleton is laid down in front of buildings and these lawn modules are plugged in - as many as is necessary.

These modules incorporate the conservation features of polyacrylamide as well as Israeli-style drip irrigation. Best of all, if a meteorite punctures one of your modules, just lift it out and install a fresh one from the farm. The old one could go back for repair and recultivation. Lawn lovers would pay for a subscription to SodModule for this sort of upkeep and replacement. If they did not pay their bills, the lawn repo men would come at night and take the lawn away.

I will hear no protests and invocation of xeriscaping as the correct approach. You all know these green lawn fanataics are out there and they will not go away. Given this, why not take their money?
-- bungston, Mar 07 2003

Polyacrylamide in landscaping. http://www.hydrosource.com/clpbbs02.htm
[bungston, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Drip lawn irrigation http://www.netafim-..._is_drip_irrigation
A commercial site with a good FAQ section. [bungston, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

UN Study warns of looming water crisis http://ens-news.com...3/2003-03-05-02.asp
Its not just the soutwestern US--the whole world is going to have a fresh water supply crisis within 50 years if this study is correct. [krelnik, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

bungston, though it's probably clear to most, I think it'd be seen as more courteous to point out that you're referring to the southwestern U.S., so as not to appear to assume that everyone here is American.

It is pretty alarming to note that rivers are nearly extinct in Arizona, water tables are lower every year, and yet the water demand and property values both continue to rise. I'd hate to be holding property there when the municipal water authorities say "That's all, folks!"
-- beauxeault, Mar 07 2003


This problem is not confined to Arizona, either. See link.
-- krelnik, Mar 07 2003


What's so bad about 90% of what it should be?
-- snarfyguy, Mar 07 2003


The fact that 10% of it is missing?
-- angel, Mar 07 2003


So... it's at 10% capacity. Damn
-- thumbwax, Mar 07 2003


You could also expand this to include modular shrubbery.
-- kevindimie, Apr 01 2003


Your idea is great, because I believe it'll cut down drainage, leaching and soil evaporation... but it does not cut transpiration, which must be a big factor.

Surely, in this modern world, it's possible to find a strain of grass that uses less water, but still feels nice underfoot.
-- FloridaManatee, Apr 01 2003



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