06/02/05 Program helps farmers save water

With the irrigation season here its time to think about conserving water. A two part Irrigation Audit Program developed by Stuart Van Greuningen at the Idaho Energy Division means farmers can have their pumps tested, their system audited or both. VAN GREUNINGEN -"At the completion of that they'll go through what they're findings are with the farmer. Then they will send the completed paperwork into us and we pay the auditor at that time so the farmer doesn't have to take care of it." It's best if this work is done when there's water going through the system but testing can be done at almost any time. The Idaho Energy Hotline at 1-800-334-SAVE is one way that you can get information or an appointment to have the irrigation audit. VAN GREUNINGEN "We also have a website up that has auditors in various areas on there or they can just contact the auditor directly. I have a question and answer type thing put up for the people. Its something I thought people might ask about the audit." The website www.idwr.idaho.gov can supply you with more information. Look for the Energy Division and find the links there. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott