Water Conservation

Residents are encouraged to protect and conserve water at all times.  In March 2013, the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13, Article 13.06 “Water Conservation Plan” was amended and adopted. Since 1998, the city experienced dramatic swings in municipal use in gallons per capita per day (GCPD). The city’s target goal is to reach an average of 160 GCPD by 2060 to correspond with the state’s water plan for future supplies. View the History of the City's GCPD.

Water

There's a lot we can all do to help meet our goal and conserve one of our most precious resources:

Avoid Watering in the Middle of the Day

Watering in the early morning allows for the water to be absorbed before evaporating in the heat of the middle of the day. Larger drops closer to the ground reduce evaporation and water being carried off by the wind. 

Water Your Lawn Only When It Needs It

Step on your grass. If it springs back when you move your feet, it doesn't need water.

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Taller grass - 3 to 4 inches - grows deeper roots that can access water from deeper soil layers and absorb water and nutrients efficiently. Grass blades can shade and insulate the soil and roots, which helps the grass retain water and reduces evaporation. Longer grass stays greener longer and might need to be watered less frequently. 

Does Your Irrigation System Have Multiple Zones?

Reduce the time a little for each zone. Even one minute less per zone helps. Irrigating slowly allows water to soak into the ground. Drip irrigation is excellent for this purpose, but lowering the water flow to sprinkler heads also works by enlarging the waterdrops, which will be closer to the ground, and lowering the zone radius. Allow irrigation to run long enough to wet soils to a depth of six inches. Deep irrigation encourages healthier root systems.

Position Your Sprinklers Correctly

Position your sprinklers so the water lands on your lawn or garden where it is needed. Try to prevent waste from water runoff into the streets, allys, gutters, ditches, rights-of-ways, and storm drainage systems.

Rainwater Harvesting is an amazing way to conserve! Rainwater is collected from roof surfaces and stored in cisterns. The water is then either pumped into the house for use or can be used for landscape irrigation. Consider installing a water collection system. 


Here are some helpful links on Rainwater Harvesting and how to get started:

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