1. Re-examining the Lawn: Water Conservation In Colorado Springs
Presented By
Rachel J. Lohof
And
Carissa Ilg

2. “You have to get over the color green, you have to quit associating beauty with gardens and lawns. . .” Wallace Stegner

3. Water in Colorado Springs
Mean Annual Precipitation~16 in.
Projected Population Growth-2.5%
Water Rights Provide the Springs with 182,900 acre-feet of water a year

4. Infrastructure and Water Rights
22% of the drinking supply originates locally
78% of the drinking supply is imported
Water is drawn from across the Continental Divide and from the Arkansas River system to the south
This water is stored in 25 reservoirs before treatment and use in the city

5. Benefits of Conservation. . .
Postpones the need for obtaining more water rights
Defers the need for more delivery, storage, and treatment infrastructure
Decreases the need for expanded wastewater infrastructure
Slows the implementation of taxes and rate hikes!

6. Benefits of Conservation. . .
Conservation in Colorado Springs will decrease the city’s ecological impact upon the natural river and stream systems
                                 

7. Drawbacks to Conservation…
Wastewater systems impacted by decreases in effluent
Less water available for reuse
Artificial wetlands and high stream impacted
Groundwater recharge rates affected downstream

8. Why the Need for Green?
56% of the drinking water ends up in landscape irrigation
25% of the city’s drinking water runs off lawns ending up as wastewater
Bluegrass requires 18 gallons of water per square foot a year
Average residential users spend $185 annually on landscape irrigation
                 

10. Where We Are Heading Build Consumer Demand ~Conservation plan
~Top down incentives

11. Current Conservation Efforts Colorado Springs Utilities
City wide metering
Non-potable water system
Education Programs
~school affiliated programs
~seminars, workshops
~award winning xeriscape demonstration garden
Evapotranspiration water guide
Audit Programs

12. Ahh…The Possibilities
Economic Incentives
~rebate programs
~tiered water pricing and seasonal rate structures
Voluntary versus Regulatory Approaches
~lawn ordinances
~pricing structures
~low flow regulations with new construction

14. Proposed Path to a Solution
Media Outreach: Increasing Consumer Awareness
Brochure
~outline conservation efforts
~target households
~increase commitment to conservation
~influence personal perceptions
Commercial Competition
~encourage youth involvement
~target diverse audience

15. Proposed Path to a Solution
Education
~expand programs in place and create additional progressive programs
~cumulative programs
~building a broader environmental perspective into existing curriculum
~cooperation with environmental educators
~relate subject to students daily lives

16. Proposed Path to a Solution
Economic Incentives for Landscaping:
Rebate program: xeriscaping and water efficient equipment
Promote pride in the natural landscape
Expand demonstration garden program to a high traffic area

17. Sustainability
                      
                      

18. Acknowledgements Steve Harris and Sharon Hall
Valerie Clubb and Amy Ottaway, Colorado Springs Utilities
Our EV 421 classmates
Ollie the Otter