CRC_SlowTheFlowPhase1_FinalReport

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/.LongmontFYI - Area irrigation audits on tap Scandal Customer Service Subscriptions Vacation Hold Corrections Contact Us Employment at Lehman Communications Corp, Search LongmontFYI I Submit] ;f]1~ ~I\' -e ' ---,~ - Longmont High School Mega Reunion, July 23. 2005 people were overwatering by 50 and 100 percent," she said. Other common problems unearthed in audits, Csibrik said, include broken sprinkler heads, two heads spraying the same area, or a variety of sprinkler heads on the same water line. Each problem can lead to inefficient irrigation, she said. The free audits consist of a series of irrigation system tests - be it on an underground sprinkler system or hose and sprinkler - to determine how much water the system puts out, the infiltration rate of water into the soil and the uniformity of distribution, or how evenly water spreads into the soil. , An auditor also will check soil type, grass and plant root depth, and sprinkler pressure to help determine how to improve the efficiency of a system, and to develop an appropriate watering schedule. An audit can take up to several hours to complete on an average residence, but the time varies for commercial and industrial properties. In 2004, 54 Erie residents had their systems audited and more were on a waiting list, according to Csibrik. "This is a nice service that the towns are providing for their residents," she said. This year, Lafayette set aside about $11,000 to allow about 400 people to get audits, according to city Public Works director Doug Short. "And we had 80 or 90 people left over from last year," he added. *J!;:' \ ~ According to Lynne Wegley of Longmont's Water/Wastewater Department, 200 Longmont ,\!\~"l: ''',. r~sidents will participate in the program this year, 161 of whom have been on a waiting list .,,~. smce last year. 5iD&1c Jf:uW1 -- ;urdJlatU41FundN~ Sh 'd L f: od d fIi 0 1 0 d 1 h . ffi 0 .' .. , ort sal a ayette reSl ents an town 0 lCla s were swpnse to earn ow me lClent sprinkler systems can be. He said the city plans to revisit some residential systems that were audited last year and compare their efficiency to this year's fmdings. Last year, more than 90 percent of iirigation systems tested throughout the county failed basic industry standards for efficiency, according to the CRC. Erie town spokesman Fred Diehl said the program is a "win-win" situation for residents. "In this semi-arid climate, people can conserve water and still get the appropriate amount of water on their lawns and gardens," he explained. Csibrik said she hopes the program's popularity continues to grow. Auditors will begin surveying residents' irrigation systems June 6 and will continue doing so until the end of August. Amanda Arthur can be reached at 303-684-5215, or bye-mail ataarthur@times-call.com. ~ What's at the Movies? , 0 Get the listings here Click for Suicide Prevention Hotline Numbers Now in your Sunday Times-Call http://www.longmontfyi.com/Local-Storv .asp?id= 1660 Page 2 of3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ii . ...1 ,~ ~""~"pt rF 01 ~ 1(:9 H IN' i!a 1~'t8 I ' i "0 0 i.,CUCl fiW~ iill "/0 /') (1(1"