Does all the lush green grass make sense in our semi-arid region?

As I drive by each morning on such Westminster arterial streets as Sheridan Boulevard, Federal Boulevard and Wadsworth Parkway, I cannot help but notice the many sprinkler systems spraying at full tilt. ey provide life-giving water to keep the lush, green grass healthy and growing in front of many commercial buildings. When you add up all that water used for at least four months out of the calendar year, you are looking at a signi cant amount of treated water.

Cross Currents

sumption is used simply for lawn and landscape irrigation each year. Standing at the top of the list of water consumers is the City of Westminster, which probably is not a surprise. With so many parks, streetscapes and lawns by city facilities, it would be a good guess. I know this issue has been raised before and debated previously, but when I see all the morning irrigation systems spraying away it gave me pause. Aren’t we smarter than our current practices on water conservation — or the lack there of? Couldn’t the city be a better “role model” for all of us who own residential or commercial property and cut back on turf irrigation? Some degree of xeriscape wouldn’t hurt!

owned properties or a future ban in at least one city on building more golf courses. Westminster is not a trend-setter on this important issue.

Don’t get complacent based on historic May-June moisture

I realize the hefty amount of rainfall of May and June along with the generous amount of high mountain snowpack can be seducing when thinking about future water planning. However, it could well be an anomaly. Predicting the weather in Colorado is at best a tricky science.

e 6.1 inches of rainfall in Denver during June set a record going back to 1872. May 2023 was the fourth wettest May on record, with its 5.53 inches.

thing will happened next year or the year after that.

We have seen the expected consequences of such sizable amounts of moisture. Denver Water System demand for June was 37% less than a 52 year average. It was the smallest overall June use since 1969 when 540,000 fewer people were on the Denver water system.

My point is that we should continue to be conservative in future water forecasts and continue to implement water conservation measures which are the least “touchy” politically.

A rule of thumb shows 40% or more of all residential water con-

Besides, shouldn’t city o cials “walk the talk?” Other cities have rolled out changes to irrigating city-

While such moisture was manna from Heaven (except for the spotty ooding), don’t assume the same

For example, requiring commercial properties to remove, say, 30%-50% of their front turf and put down xeriscape materials or simply colorful aggregate would be a possibility. Yes, sprinkler systems would

SEE CHRISTOPHER, P15