Legislation being considered 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 says it's 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, so whatever initial cost there might be for sensors it'll be easily recouped in a very short time."
Doug Tomson with New Jersey Association of Realtors opposes the sensor requirement.
"Right now in New Jersey we are number one in this country for foreclosed properties. Trying to work with a bank to get a rain sensor installed would prove extremely difficult."
Tomson says 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.