To save water, N.J. may require properties with sprinklers to install rain sensors prior to sale

Legislation under consideration by New Jersey lawmakers would require residential and commercial properties with a lawn-sprinkler system to install a rain-sensing device before that property could be sold.

Assemblyman John McKeon said he finds it abhorrent to see sprinklers going off in a rainstorm.

“As water continues to become more precious and scarce, per gallon it’s a lot more expensive to waste it,” said McKeon, D-Essex. “So whatever initial cost there might be for sensors, it’ll be easily recouped in a very short time.”

The New Jersey Association of Realtors opposes the sensor requirement.

“Right now in New Jersey,  we are No. 1 in this country for foreclosed properties,” said Doug Tomson of the association. “Trying to work with a bank to get a rain sensor installed would prove extremely difficult.”

Tomson said it would be better to require every property with lawn sprinklers to install the sensors within the next four years instead of making it a burden at the time of sale.