A Time to Water and A Time to Die

On September 28, I was able to take a walk and enjoy the sun on my bare arms.  It was refreshing being outside without being too cold or too hot. 

On my fast-paced meander, I passed a house that had a sprinkler running. Not five steps later, I passed another one.

I was a bit confused On September 28th?  I cannot seem to figure out why in the world they would have the sprinklers watering the yard.

Don't they know that it is now officially fall and brown grass is okay?  In fact, brown grass is expected.   So why use the energy it takes to water the lawn?

Is there some environmental reason that I'm unaware of?  Does it help the ecosystem to have a well maintained green yard as we enter into a frigid winter?  Our nightmarish  winters, of which we Minnesotans are proud to claim, cause every living thing to burrow inside itself looking for life.  Does watering the grass give the grass hope?  Perserverance?  Character?

I don't get it.  I feel like I might be missing something. 

Am I?