Responsible Water Usage for us All

A dry winter and elevated summer temps have already brought drought conditions to parts of Colorado as well as abnormally dry conditions bordering on drought to others. It’s no secret that water is one of our most precious resources, and in years of low precipitation it is in everyone’s best interest to manage their water usage responsibly.

HOA’s manage their water use and utilities through efficient budgeting, monitoring water usage in our communities, and performing regular inspections on irrigation systems to adjust water directions and to make sure all motors and filtration systems are functioning properly. If they are not, then repairs or even an upgrade of irrigation systems may be needed. Modern technologies in irrigation systems can detect changes in rainfall, moisture in the soil and weather conditions to cut down on water waste if unnecessary, providing cost savings to communities and leaving more money for other projects.

Homeowners can do their part to conserve water as well. In Denver, regular water restrictions began in May this year and run through October to help residents conserve water while still practicing necessary lawn maintenance.  Summer rules include watering your lawn no more than three days a week and never between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. They also provide a timeline for fixing leaking sprinkler systems without penalties or fines, a chart that can help homeowners customize their sprinkler system for optimal running times per zone, and a phone number where wasteful use of water can be reported.

Other ways to conserve water at home include only washing full loads of laundry, adjusting the water setting to match the load, installing water saving shower heads, checking your toilets and pipes for leaks, and turning off the water while doing dishes and brushing your teeth. Specific drought conditions for each community in Colorado vary based on precipitation and weather so be sure to take a look at the category and any restrictions for your particular county. Together we can better manage our most valuable resource during these particularly dry conditions.

Source:

https://lmchouston.com/blog/three-ways-hoas-can-conserve-water-usage
https://www.denverwater.org/residential/rebates-and-conservation-tips/summer-watering-rules
https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/45-ways-to-conserve-water-in-the-home-and-yard/
https://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-colorado-drought-monitor-map.php