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2003-04-21

QUIT WATERING THE SIDEWALK!!!

Orbit/Wirthlin Survey Shows 64% of Americans Across the Country Plan To Conserve Water this Summer

North Salt Lake, Utah - April 21, 2003 – Most Americans are planning to take real measures to conserve water this summer with a recognition, especially in the West, that we are facing serious drought conditions across the country.  This positive development is apparent in survey results released today by Orbit® Irrigation Products, Inc., one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of irrigation products for the residential and commercial markets. 

Sixty four percent of Americans say they plan to conserve water this summer, and nearly half (49%) say their part of the country is facing drought conditions.   Results from the survey, conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide, show even greater concern and intended action among those in the West:

"The headlines have been screaming at us for months:  'Reservoirs Extremely Low," ‘Winter Blizzard Does Little to Ease Water Worries,’ ‘Conservation Measures Will Be Mandatory,’ said Orbit CEO, K.C. Ericksen.  “We’re heartened to see that our survey shows people will be doing something about the continued drought – even if it’s as simple as positioning their sprinklers away from sidewalks.”

“Our company slogan, ‘Conservation through Innovation,’ signifies Orbit’s commitment to developing innovative products that manage water consumption,” affirmed Ericksen.  “From our automatic sprinkler timers to our nozzles that offer a variety of patterns for individual watering needs – we want to make water conservation as easy and effective as possible.” 

The survey shows the strength of the Orbit brand name and product usage among those who own sprinkler equipment today:

So who are most likely to own Orbit products?  According to the survey, it’s married folks.  “It makes sense that the majority are married, because they are more likely to own their own homes and have a need for sprinkler equipment,” said Russ Messerly, Orbit marketing director.  “And even though more males say they now own sprinkler equipment, we have begun to see a trend indicating that women will soon be the largest consumers of hose-end [sprinkler] products.”

About Wirthlin Worldwide

As one of the leading full-service opinion research and strategic consulting firms in the world, Wirthlin Worldwide (www.wirthlin.com) has particular expertise in developing marketing and communications strategies. Since 1969 the firm has provided strategic research and consulting to a broad range of public and private sector clients, including two-thirds of the Fortune 100 companies. Wirthlin Worldwide has 15 offices in the

U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia. 

About Orbit

Orbit Irrigation Products is the market-share leader in the retail do-it-yourself irrigation business.  Orbit manufactures and distributes more than 1,500 quality lawn and garden irrigation products to customers worldwide under the sub-brand names Orbit Professional®, WaterMaster®, DripMaster®, SunMate®, and Arizona Mist®.  Orbit products can be purchased both domestically and internationally at most contractor supply houses, home improvement stores, and lawn and garden centers.  For more information go to www.orbitonline.com or call 1-800-488-6156.