CONSERVE
Who is your irrigation provider?
Who is your irrigation provider? In the Grand Valley, water can be complicated because we have a dual water system made up of 4 domestic water providers and 7 irrigation water providers. Depending on where you live, you may receive separate domestic and irrigation water services. Know the difference between treated water for indoor use and raw irrigation water for outdoor use and their respective providers. A dual water system makes the Grand Valley’s water system efficient and economical.
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Give the interactive map a whirl to explore the local irrigation provider districts.
Smart Irrigation Month is a public awareness campaign created by the Irrigation Association to promote efficient water use. The purpose of the initiative is to promote the social, economic and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation technologies, products and services in landscape, turf, and agricultural irrigation. Focused on July, traditionally the month of peak demand for outdoor water use, the campaign highlights simple practices and innovative technologies to:
Minimize overwatering while keeping landscapes and crops beautiful and healthy.
Apply water and nutrient inputs more precisely for improved results with no waste.
Minimize runoff and topsoil erosion.
Save money on utility bills.
Help protect community water supplies for today and the future.
Leaking toilets are the most common cause for unexpected or high water bills and waste around 700 gallons of water a month.
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Ute Water, Clifton Water, and the City of Grand Junction have dye tablets for at-home testing for a leaking toilet. Pick one up the next time you're in!
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You can save up to 20 gallons of water by scraping food off dishes instead of pre-rinsing them.
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Filling a basin with a small amount of water and rising dishes by using the same water will help reduce water waste as well.
Check for leaks regularly. Even small leaks can waste hundreds to thousands of gallons of water per month.
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The most common places for leaks are the toilet, the hoses on washing machines, under the sink, and the water heater.
Drop some ice on the floor? Don't toss it in the sink or the trash! Melted ice cubes make a great water source for plants or even your pet's water dish.
Know where your Main Shut-off Valve is located in your house. It's often found in the crawlspace or in the garage. In the event of a leak or waterline break, turning off the valve will conserve water and help prevent water damage.
Ute Water, Clifton Water, and the City of Grand Junction have tags to place on your main valve. Pick one up the next time you're in!
Keep the same glass or cup to drink out of all day. This will reduce the frequency of running the dishwasher and will save water.
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If you have some leftover water, use it to water your plants.
Only run washing machines and dishwashers when they are full. The same amount of water is used regardless of the amount of items that are in the load.
Insulating exposed pipes, commonly found under sinks, will not only help prevent breaks in colder temperatures, but it will help water heat up quicker.
SAVING
INDOORS
SAVING
OUTDOORS
Water at dawn! The most ideal time of the day to water outdoors is after 9pm and before 6am.
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Not only are these times ideal for reducing evaporation, but it also helps avoid fungus diseases.
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Introduce your landscape to the season of growing by following
1-2-3, 3-2-1
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April - Water 1x per week
May - Water 2x per week
June - Water 3x per week
July -Water 3x per week
August - Water 2x per week
September - Water 1x per week
3 inches is all you need!
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Give your lawn mower a raise to shade out weeds and reduce evaporation. Skip a mow!
Spring is ideal to aerate lawns and apply a thin layer of compost to prepare your lawn for the hot temperatures!
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Lawns with 5% organic matter can hold more moisture and need less watering.
Do you really need to water your lawn? Put it to the test!
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If a screwdriver can easily go 6-8" in your lawn it's sufficiently watered.
Planting trees helps contribute to our environment and reduces evaporation and energy use.
Contact CSU Extension for correct planting procedures for the Grand Valley.
It's legal for Colorado residents to collect up to 110 gallons of rain water to use outdoors on gardens, lawns, or landscape.
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Making a rain barrel is easy! Join us for our rain barrel workshop - see the "Events" tab for more details!
Don't "set it and forget it!"
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Adjust your irrigation system monthly to meet the needs of plants based on day length and heat. The peak water need is in July. A Smart Controller can help automatically adjust your system.