Water Conservation Plan

Efficient water use is an important component of water supply planning for Parker Water
and Sanitation District (PWSD). Reduced water demands will decrease future water
supply needs, leaving more of a finite and valuable resource to be shared among other
water users. Water demand reduction will also save significant financial capital required
to build water and wastewater treatment, distribution, and collection facilities.
Click here for Full Plan...

Excessive Use?

Urban Geyser

Have you ever seen an urban geyser or a suburban swamp?  You know the kind, the broken sprinkler head that fountains up in the middle of a yard or a soggy green belt you need a canoe to cross….  Often problems like this go unnoticed by the owner for days, and if they don’t know it’s broken, they can’t fix it.   If you notice excessive running water – please e-mail conservation@pwsd.org with the location, time and date that you noticed the leak.  PWSD will work with the residences, businesses and Home Owners Associations to fix the problem.  Your help with this helps us all save water and the customer money.

2009 Landscape Care Class Schedule

All classes are taught by Craig Miller, Water Conservation Specialist for Parker Water and Sanitation District

e-PayClass Handouts and Outlines

2009 Xeriscape Classes July/August

Craig R. Miller, Water Conservation Specialist

Click Here for:

Classes at a Glance

2009 Class Descriptions

7/19 – Spring Flowering Trees for Colorado
Tagawa Garden Center, 7711 S. Parker Rd., Centennial, CO           11:00 AM

  • Ever wonder what trees would be best for adding some color and excitement to your springtime landscape? Join us as we cover the essentials of 35 different flowering trees, from fruit trees to crabapples, hawthorns to Horsechestnuts.

7/26 – 10 Things NOT to do in Your Landscape
Tagawa Garden Center, 7711 S. Parker Rd., Centennial, CO           1:00 PM

  • Some of the worst landscape care practices will be illustrated in this talk.  This is your comprehensive guide to over watering, over planting, herbicide misapplication, tree abuse and inappropriate species selection.

8/23 - The Basics of Xeriscape and Principles of Xeriscape 1 – Design
Tagawa Garden Center, 7711 S. Parker Rd., Centennial, CO           1:00 PM

  • Xeriscape is not rocks and cactus, but a colorful, lower maintenance alternative to the water hungry landscapes we are most used to.  Learn the 7 principles of xeriscaping, and take away some great ideas for retrofitting your existing landscape, or installing a new one!  We will also be covering the basics of xeric yard and garden design in this 2 ½ hour class.

8/30 - Principles of Xeriscape 2, 3 and 4 - Soil Preparation, Appropriate Use of Turf & Plant
Selection
Tagawa Garden Center, 7711 S. Parker Rd., Centennial, CO           1:00 PM

  • Next to design, soil preparation is the most important part of successful xeriscaping and gardening.  We will dish out the “dirt” on amending soil for a water efficient and healthy landscape.   We will also cover two other xeriscape principles in this 2 ½ hour class.  The most controversial and misunderstood of the xeriscape principles is the concept of appropriate turf.  Turfgrasses have a place in the landscape, even in a xeriscape.  We will provide you with guidance on this aspect of landscaping, as well as cover plant selection and proper grouping of plant materials.

Xeriscape Resources

Xeriscape Beauty

e-PayTrees, Shrubs, Junipers, Evergreens, Perennials, Vines and Grasses

A comprehensive list of Xeric plants for water-wise gardening in Colorado

e-PayPlanting a Blue Grama Lawn from Seed

e-Pay101 Ways to Conserve Water

e-PayET Based Smart Irrigation Controllers

e-PayCaring for Trees in Dry Climates

e-PayFall-Winter Tree Watering Schedule

e-PayGuide to Home Water Management

e-PayGuide to Outdoor Watering

e-PaySpring-Summer Tree Watering Schedule

e-PayThe 7 Principles of Xeriscape

e-PayHome Lawn Water Management

How can I conserve water?

There are a variety of ways to cut down on water consumption, inside and outside.

On average, lawns account for 50 percent of home water use. By eliminating as much turf grass as possible and replacing it with low-water "Xeriscape" plants, you can significantly cut down on your water use.

Take shorter showers. About 75 percent of water used indoors is used in the bathroom (including 5-7 gallon toilet flushes). Parker Water provides free, low-flow shower heads to customers. Install one today. Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth or shave.

Store drinking water in the refrigerator to avoid running water while it cools. Water can be safely stored for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

Altering the way you wash your car, dishes, or even brush your teeth can save water, too. Take your car to a professional car wash that uses recycled water, use the energy-saving cycles on your dishwasher, don't use the toilet to dispose of small items like tissue and insects—small changes can save hundreds of gallons of water a year.

Lawn watering

PWSD Irrigation & Lawncare Guidlines for Homeowners

Restrictions

Parker Water has not had any mandatory watering restrictions during the last 3 summers.

Download Rates and Service Fees

Tips on reducing water use on lawns

Most customers will find that they can remain in the first tier (under 20,000 gallons per month) by watering their lawns no more than every third day, this also promotes a deeper root system. Your lawn will be much more drought tolerant.

Water early in the morning to avoid excessive evaporation; it is usually less windy then as well, and the water pressure is generally higher. Try to avoid watering paved areas, and don’t use your hose to wash sidewalks and driveways.  

You can audit your lawn watering by reading your meter prior to the start of lawn watering, and reading it when finished to determine the number of gallons used per cycle.

Leak Detection

How to read meter to detect leaks

First, locate your meter (the majority of meters in Parker Water & Sanitation District are in the basement). Make a note of the meter reading. If the leak detector indicator is moving, there is water moving through the meter.

Turn off all fixtures in and around your home, and don’t use any water for an hour.  Then go back and check the reading on the meter, if it has changed, you have a leak or leaks!

How a leak will affect billing

A 1/32” drip can waste 6,166 gallons per month.

A 1/16” trickle can waste 24,666 gallons per month.

A 1/8” stream can waste 98,666 gallons per month.

A 1/4” stream can waste 393,833 gallons per month.

How much water?

How much water does the average household use?

The average family of four uses approximately 240 gallons of water per day, or 60 gallons per day (G.P.D.) per person.

Dishwashing?

Automatic dishwasher uses 10-20 G.P.D.
Hand washing 15 G.P.D.

Laundry?

36 G.P.D.

Bathing?

Full tub- 60 G.P.D., ½ bath – 30 G.P.D.
Shower 53 G.P.D.

Toilets?

100 G.P.D.

We encourage conservation

Free water saving devices – low flow shower heads and faucet aerators, leak detection kits, rain gauges.

Annual Xeriscape garden contest.

Annual Tours of residential Xeriscape gardens and talks with owners.

Detailed Xeriscape information.

Free conservation activity books and handouts for kids.  Also have school tours.

Winterizing Residential Irrigation Backflow Prevention Assemblies

PVB Assembly