CASE STUDY - WILLISTON, NORTH DAKOTA
The photos below are of the Town and Country and West Acres subdivisions located approximately one mile west of Williston, North Dakota. Both subdivisions overlook the Missouri River and are approximately 20 years old. The lots are about the same size and the original homes were of the same quality, size and type. Town and Country subdivision (left-side photos) does not have a supplemental water source, whereas West Acres has a private water utility built by Agri-Industries. It’s not hard to see why new and more expensive homes are attracted to and being built in West Acres, and why home values there are 2-3 times higher than in the Town and Country subdivision. These photos were taken in late October, but even though the grass is dormant, it’s not hard to tell the difference.

No Water for Irrigation	Irrigated by Missouri River Water
Without water for irrigation, trees and shrubs grow at irregular rates, reduces vs. increases curb appeal.
Landscaping typically adds value, but when it’s surrounded by dead or no grass, it’s hard to visualize how pretty it might be. The adjoining lots of the two homeowners on the right-side photo combined their landscaping to disguise their valve/filters. What you really notice, however, is the plush yard that surrounds the landscaping.
Watering a big yard for your pets can be expensive so the homeowner on the left fenced in an area around his house and created a green Oasis with his water budget. Now when you drive by, the “dog spots” are really visible. The homeowner on the right waters all the way to the street and doesn’t worry about “dog spots.”
Not everyone invests the same, nor does everyone purchase water for irrigation. These two homes are literally side-by-side in West Acres subdivision and were built the same year and are very similar in many respects. The big difference is that the homeowner on the right invested in water for irrigation, whereas his neighbor invested elsewhere. It doesn’t matter that the home on the right is worth $25-50,000 or even $100,000 more, what is clearly evident is that the homeowner on the right made a wise investment in water!

Interested? Click here to see the contract.