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<br />and micro (individual single-family homes or individual commercial buildings) scale. <br />Using conventional civil engineering calculations (often originating in stormwater <br />management designs), the volume of water collected by the rainwater conservation <br />system will be determined. This effort will also include an economic evaluation that will <br />allow a true "cost" of the process to be determined. <br /> <br />Then, the study will model the application of this conserved rainwater for turf and <br />landscape irrigation. However, maximizing the efficiency of any rainwater conservation <br />approach will extend beyond the physical components of the collection and distribution <br />system to the design of the landscaped area itself. The micro-topography of the <br />landscaped area can enhance the flow of both stormwater and collected rainwater through <br />the use of subtle grade changes, guided swales, terraces, and shallow infiltration <br />impoundments. Landscaping design should also incorporate well-known xeriscaping <br />concepts including soil analysis, appropriate plant selection, and practical turf areas. <br />Actual irrigation efficiency can be maximized through the use of properly designed and <br />located sprinklers, micro-irrigation (also known as drip irrigation), hand watering, and <br />appropriate watering intervals. <br /> <br />A high-level reconnaissance and review of available data and methodologies for <br />innovative stormwater management techniques intended to improve the quality of run-off <br />into surface water bodies will also be conducted. <br /> <br />This task will describe the physical infrastructure required for rainwater conservation on <br />both a macro (large commercial developments) and micro (individual single-family <br />homes or individual commercial buildings) scale. Key factors will be I) general design <br />concepts, 2) potential capture efficiencies, and 3) economic considerations. <br /> <br />Task 3. Define Initial Water Balances <br /> <br />Given a certain location - how much precipitation actually migrates to groundwater or <br />reaches a stream as inflow of tributary groundwater? That quantity will be established by <br />the amount of rainfall, the site's proximity to the surface water or groundwater, type of <br />soil, and duration of rainfall event (i.e., does rain occur uniformly throughout the year or <br />is the location subject to infrequent storms). <br /> <br />By applying conventional and well understood techniques that are acceptable under <br />current Colorado water law, the amount of return flow (the non-consumptive fraction of <br />rainwater that ultimately returns to a river after having been applied to beneficial use) can <br />be determined under initial conditions as defined in the three scenarios. This will define <br />the water balance under existing conditions with no development and no rainwater <br />conservation. <br /> <br />Task 4. Define Water Balance Using Conservation Practices <br /> <br />What is the water balance of a site using water efficient landscaping, increased irrigation <br />system efficiency, rainwater conservation practices? Similar to the process used to <br /> <br />7 <br />