2021 Water Wise Guide

Before converting to a water-wise landscape.

2021 Water Wise Guide

After converting to a water-wise landscape.

Be drought smart. Use water wisely.

Drought conditions create need to be a water saver

Centennial Water & Sanitation District is your water provider. Colorado is experiencing drought conditions and we are taking steps in anticipation of a dry summer. We are expecting dry landscapes to be commonplace this year.

Let’s work together to conserve water, one of our most precious resources.

We are asking customers to practice water conservation in and around their homes ahead of the summer irrigation season. The following rules help to reduce water waste in our community, which in turn help sustain water resources for the future. n Outdoor irrigation is not allowed from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., May 1 through Sept. 30. n Hand watering trees and shrubs is allowed anytime if a hose is held and equipped with a shut off device. n Wasteful water practices are prohibited and may result in a fine. This includes allowing excess water to flow into street gutters or neglecting to repair leaks. Issues must be addressed within 10 days of identification.

To report an incident of water waste, call 303-791-0430.

To report an irrigation leak in parks or landscape along roads, call 303-634-8042.

The most efficient way to save water and money in your home is to fix leaks.

RULES & REGULATIONS

Keep an eye on your water budget Every customer has a unique water budget designed to encourage water conservation. A water budget provides an allocation for indoor and outdoor use. The water budget for outdoor irrigation, based on individual lot size, provides enough water for healthy landscapes, but not so much that our resource is wasted. Water budgets do not change for weather conditions. Your water budget can be found on your bill. Read your water meter regularly to monitor your water usage and to check for leaks.

Progressively higher tiered rates over the allotted budget serve to encourage conservation. However, customers will only be billed for water consumed, regardless of their water budget amount.

Typical Single Family Water Budget

Summertime Residential Water Rates

Based on a two month budget for a 7,500 sq. ft. lot

Per 1,000 gallons

40,000

Gallons of Water

35,000 30,000

Outdoor Budget

25,000 20,000

141% +

15,000 10,000 5,000

Up to 100% $4.10 101% - 120% 121% - 140%

Jan.Feb.

MarchApril

MayJune

July-Aug.

Sept.Oct.

Nov.Dec.

Indoor Budget

$5.52

$8.38

$12.68

The residential water rate per 1,000 gallons is $4.10.

The graph above depicts the rates customers will pay when they exceed their allocated water budget during each billing period.

RULES & REGULATIONS

Irrigation start up: check for leaks 1 Check the control valve box for dripping or pooling water.

2 Run all zones of your irrigation system and check for loss of pressure.

3 After running your irrigation system for the first time, walk your yard and look for soggy areas.

4 For efficient irrigation, program your controller to adjust run times based on sprinkler head type. Suggested run times can be found at centennialwater.org. Remember to adjust your controller as water supply and weather conditions change.

Checklist for chasing down leaks Water leaks inside and outside the home can occur at any time for a variety of reasons. Many are simple fixes, while other leaks may require consultation with a plumber or a landscape irrigation system professional.

In the bathroom p Toilets - Place 10 drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Do not flush. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak. Also check the toilet tank. If the dye is gone, you may have a leak.

CHECKING FOR LEAKS

In the kitchen p Appliances - Check for pooling water underneath dishwashers, and check refrigerators with ice makers.

In the basement p Water heater - Check beneath the tank for pooling water, rust or other signs of leakage. p Whole house filtration and reverse osmosis systems - Check to see if they are working properly. Look for signs of leakage. p Water softeners - Check to see if they are working properly. Look for pooling water around the base of the softener. p Humidifiers - Check the base of the humidifier for water coming out of the cabinet, and check that it is working properly.

Outside

p Spigots - Ensure tight connections with the hose and check the hose washer to see if it needs to be replaced. p Pressure - If your yard is being watered unevenly, pressure problems from malfunctioning spray heads are a likely cause. p Irrigation system - Check for broken sprinklers or nozzles spraying in the wrong direction. Also, check for faulty zone valves and other underground issues with sprinkler pipes and connections.

Centennial Water assumes no responsibility or liability for the detection or location of leaks in a customer’s water system. Customers are responsible for finding and correcting all water leaks on their property and paying the associated costs.

CHECKING FOR LEAKS

Don’t set it and forget it Water requirements change throughout the season and so should irrigation run times. Adjusting your controller throughout the year should become routine. The table to the right shows approximate daily run times for different types of sprinkler heads. For best results, water no more than three times per week. Water only as needed in April and October, and remember to turn off irrigation systems for the year the second week of October.

Read your water meter regularly to monitor water use. Doing so will identify possible leaks or indicate if you are using too much water.

Cycle and soak is a more efficient way to water and is better for the

health of your lawn. Water is applied in multiple, short cycles allowing water to soak into the soil before running off. The first cycle of water overcomes the soil moisture tension and allows water to seep into the soil. The second cycle of water percolates even further into the soil, reaching the roots. The third cycle allows additional water percolation into the root zone. Irrigating this way helps maintain optimal soil moisture for a healthier landscape.

Sample run time for May, based on the chart above: 12 minutes fixed spray ÷ 3 cycles = 4-minute cycles run at a minimum of 30 minutes apart

WATER WISE

Centennial Water incentive programs Garden In A Box

Purchase a low water Garden In A Box kit to help you cut back on water usage. Buy now, pick up and plant in May or June. Browse the full collection of water-conserving gardens online at resourcecentral.org/gardens. A limited number of discounts are available to Centennial Water customers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Slow the Flow - free irrigation inspections A limited number of free irrigation inspections are available to residential customers.

The inspection will reveal the efficiency of irrigation systems and you will be provided suggestions to improve it. The beginning of summer is a great time to use this service. Call Resource Central at 303-999-3820, or visit resourcecentral.org/slowtheflow/sprinklers to schedule your appointment.

High-efficiency nozzle

The high-efficiency nozzle retrofit program targets the replacement of less efficient, traditional fixed spray nozzles with more efficient rotary nozzles. A rebate of $1 per nozzle is available. The non-residential maximum is $3,000. Installation costs, sales tax, and shipping and handling costs are not covered. Visit centennialwater.org for more information.

Turf replacement

A rebate is available for the removal of any existing grass and replacement with Xeric or drought tolerant vegetation. The program encourages residential customers to convert water-thirsty plant materials, such as Kentucky Bluegrass, into a water wise landscape.

Visit centennialwater.org/turf for more information.

WATER WISE

Since 2004, water savings through the Slow the Flow program have saved an estimated 137.6 million gallons of water.