HomeMy WebLinkAbout07OUTDOOR WATER USE
c NEWSLETTER Issue #2, July 1996
`+ This public information project is sponsored by the Chubbuck-Pocatello Groundwater
Guardian Committee as part of its 1996 enrollment with the national Groundwater
4T ER ® Foundation. Our purpose is to provide residents of the greater Pocatello area with
alternatives to costly water consumption in the care of their yards.
LANDSCAPING: A GROWING PROGRAM FOR WATER CONSERVATION
Research shows that sprinking lawns in Western states comprises 30% to 50% of the total amount of
urban household water consumption. Due to scarcity, some communities have found it necessary to
ration their water use, or to use recycled water for yards, saving groundwater for drinking and indoor
purposes only. These measures are both costly and inconvenient.
In Pocatello during the 1980s, drought lowered the watertable in the Portneuf Valley Aquifer. While
the level has been restored, it is very likely that our groundwater supply will be threatened again.
A good way to approach conservation of our water resource is through the type and method of
landscaping we choose for our yards. Fescue grasses may take only 1/2 as much water as bluegrass
and also need less mowing. They are naturally resistant to weeds and disease as well.
Nearly 75% of those responding to a recent Pocatello yard water conservation survey expressed
an interest in learning more about alternative landscaping, and over 91% agreed that they
would be willing to modify their ideas of how a lawn should look if they could save water.
Eighty-five percent of respondents said they would like to see the City install drought -resistant
landscaping in a demonstration location, and more than 76% thought that new businesses,
industries, and institutions should be encouraged to use it.
XERISCAPING
This word, originally a trademark of the
Denver, Colorado Water Department, comes
from the Greek "xeros," meaning dry.
Water -smart landscaping is a matter of
choosing plants that will thrive under given
conditions, and grouping them together.
As you study your yard, divide it into water
use zones. Where does the sun shine and for
how long each day? What kind of soil do
you have and how does it drain? In
xeriscaping, the 'basis" zone is closest to the
house and hardscaped areas. Since it will
require more frequent watering and
maintenance --particularly if it is on a sunny
side --it should be the smallest zone.
A simple way to reduce the amount of lawn
care and water use is to increase shade.
Doing so will also cool your house by as
much as 50%. In addition, trees serve as
windbreaks and shield homes from snow,
lowering heating costs as much as 30%.
Dozens of colorful flowers, shrubs, and
attractive ground covers are available to
complete your landscaping in low -water -
demand and low -maintenance species.
W
LOCAL WATER USE --
-__QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Citizen involvement is an important part of dealing with local water issues.
These comments were made by the public in response to the water
conservation survey conducted for the City of Pocatello in 1995:
*Lawns are good "stuff," they act as air conditioners, they keep dust and pollution down.
There are dozens of ways to conserve water.
*Industries and public places should be encouraged to install drought -resistant landscaping
if the price is comparable.
*I have been concerned about water for years. I do not water on a regular schedule. I do
water at night when the lawn shows signs of needing water.
*Education and example are powerful motivators.
Following are the final questions to be answered under the current Outdoor Water Use Newsletter
project. Please direct comments to P.O. Box 4169, Pocatello, ID 83205; FAX 233-5625; PH 233-5750.
Q. How is commercial property involved in water conservation efforts?
A number of local businesses are already dealing with both wise water use and beautification. In
addition, as part of revamping zone ordinances, the City of Pocatello is developing water conservation
landscape regulations for commercial areas along with guidelines for residential. The new
requirements will expand upon those currently in existence for landscaping in general.
Q. Even though we're on a meter, sometimes I don't understand my water bill.
Because of the difficulty in locating some meter boxes in the snow, residential water meters are not
read during winter months. Also, the warmer air inside a meter box combined with the insulation
factor of the snow covering the box prevents freezing, so it is best left alone. During this time, in
addition to the monthly. service charge, a minimum charge for 4,000 gallons of water will appear on
your utility bill.
Depending on the weather, meters are usually read from February or March through November. After
the first reading in the spring, the utility bill is adjusted based on actual consumption since the last
reading in the fall. For example, during a four-month period you might be billed for 16,000 gallons at
the rate of 4,000 per month. But if your household has used 20,000 gallons by the time the meter is
read, 4,000 gallons will be added to the "spring pickup bill." If only 10,000 gallons have been used, a
credit for 6,000 gallons will be issued.
A level pay option is also available through the City of Pocatello utility billing department for those
who wish to pay the same amount each month of the year.
Thank you for your participation in this public information projectl