We are changing our terminology and asking customers to come along for the ride. ColoradoScape will be the new term used to describe what has traditionally been called Xeriscape. ColoradoScape is natural landscape, comprised of low-water use plant material which blends in with the native Colorado landscape.
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. The rate system includes progressively higher tiered rates over the allotted water budget to encourage conservation. However, customers will only be billed for water consumed, regardless of their water budget amount. If you stay under your water budget, you will always be charged at the lowest rate. The image below depicts how your water budget progressively increases for the irrigation season, peaks in July, then decreases, ending in October. The annual outdoor water budget allows for 27” of lawn irrigation. Watering three days per week and staying under budget will help preserve a precious resource and keep your landscape healthy.
Rates recover the cost of operations and maintenance including cost for staff, treatment chemicals, utilities, and ongoing repair and maintenance of facilities, and water acquisition.
The residential water rate per 1,000 gallons is $4.52. The graph to the right depicts rates customers will pay when they exceed their allocated water budget during each billing period.
Outdoor irrigation is not allowed from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., May 1 through Sept. 30.
During normal conditions, watering no more than 3 days per week is highly encouraged.
Hand watering trees and shrubs is allowed anytime if a hose is held and equipped with a shut off device.
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.
Centennial Water’s water resources staff keeps a close eye on our water supply all year long, monitoring demands, tracking water storage levels, and predicting future water supply through careful watch of snowpack.
Snowpack is the total amount of snow on the ground. Throughout the winter, experts regularly measure the snow water equivalent in the mountain snowpack. Tracking the amount of water in snow is not as easy as it sounds. Twelve inches of snow does not equal 12 inches of water. The amount of water released by snowmelt varies based on how dense the snowpack is. According to the National Weather Service, there can be one inch of water produced for every 10 to 12 inches of snow.
How much snow falls in the high country over the winter, and how much water is in the snow, provides Centennial Water with an indication of what the district can expect come spring and summer. Most of our water supply comes from snowpack in the South Platte Basin that melts and makes its way to streams, known as runoff. This runoff flows downstream and is captured in reservoirs. How much Centennial Water is able to capture is determined by water rights at any given time.
The water industry is a complex business impacted by Mother Nature and legal constraints. Our team is dedicated to ensuring water supply for our community. It is a combination of tasks that require attention to detail and good strategic planning. To learn more visit centennialwater.org/water-wastewater/water-supply.
1 Foot of Snow 1 Inch of Water =
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Inspect your sprinkler heads. Look for obstructions such as rocks or debris that may block the water flow, and verify nozzles are spraying in the right direction. You don’t want to water the sidewalks!
Run all zones of your irrigation system, one at a time. Check for leaks, drips, puddles and watch for loss of pressure.
Check the control valve box. Look for dripping or pooling water, worn parts and loose wiring.
Get familiar with your controller - don’t set it and forget it. Water requirements change throughout the season and so should irrigation run times.
The most efficient way to water your lawn is the cycle and soak method. Water in multiple, short cycles. This method allows water to soak into the soil before it runs off into streets or sidewalks. Set your irrigation system to run each zone for 5 minutes. Pause for one hour, and then repeat two or three times. The end result is a healthier, happier lawn that prevents water waste.
Get a jump start on summer water conservation actions by participating in No Mow May. The concept is simple: do not mow, or reduce the frequency you traditionally mow your lawn during the month of May.
“The less frequently your lawn is mowed, the less water it requires,” said Water Conservation Specialist Paige McFarland. “Taller grass develops a stronger root system enabling it to better withstand drought come the warm, summer months. Letting grasses and wild flowers bloom also provides homes and food for pollinators and other wildlife,” she added. You can still maintain a beautiful landscape, with less frequent mowing during No Mow May.
Convert water-thirsty plant materials, such as Kentucky Bluegrass, into a water wise landscape. A rebate for up to 1,000 square feet is available. Exact dollar amount is dependent on replacement material.
Replace less efficient, traditional fixed spray nozzles with more efficient rotary nozzles. A rebate of $3 per nozzle is available.
Rain sensors can be added to any irrigation system to interrupt the normal watering schedule when it rains. Residential customers may be eligible for a rebate of up to $25.
Replace your irrigation controller with a smart controller, any brand is acceptable. A rebate up to $75 is available.
The free Slow the Flow irrigation inspection includes a visit by a sprinkler pro to make sure you’re giving your landscape what it needs, but not more.
Get your professionally designed, do-it-yourself garden kit. They are accompanied by a plant by number map that makes it easy to install in your landscape.
Thanks to a partnership with Rachio and the Alliance for Water Efficiency, customers can purchase a Rachio controller at a discount. Visit go.rachio.com/a4we/ to learn more.
Scan the QR code to learn about these programs or visit centennialwater.org
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