PROJ02096

• Contract/PO #: FS0041X
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Application

Bulk Ra..
U,S. Poslage
PAID
Permit No. 6
Avon. CO

,"l'~.:') 'xxi.\ ~ '
. , .. . "l",;},J ,.i" ,~

, "::;:i:~:":':'~::'h :"',' ~~:.

"Don't let being lost tau the fun out of not knowing where you are. .. - Lars Larsen

THE TIMES

Vail residents facing watering restrictions

No pressing needs,
but directors think
limiting use just a
good habit to have

. By Allen Best
TImes Managing Editor

As occurred in die mid-valley and
and Gypsum last summer, this year Vail
residents will see restrictions on
outdoor irrigation.
In the case of both Gypsum and the
mid-valley (Eagle-Vail through Ed-
wards), supplies were limited, neces-
sitating the restrictions. Mid-valley
residents again this summer will be
allowed to water lawns only three days
a week.
That same restriction was adopted
last week by the Vail Valley Consol-
idated Water District, which provides
water for the Gore Valley. It's not that

.

-

the district lacks water - from all
appearances, the aquifer under the golf
course from which the town's water
comes appears to be continuing to
provide plenty of water. But the
directors of the district were persuaded
that water conservation is just a good
habit to get into.
In fact, while most residents will
probably find it slightly annoying that
they can't water their lawns whenever
they want, they will also probably save
money. Studies have shown that most
of us tend to over-water our lawns.
Instead, horticulturalists recommend
that grass be watered deeply - down to
the roots - but at longer intervals. In
other words, watering about once a
week is usually just fine, as long as that
irrigation is pronounced.
As occurred last summer, the mid-
valley will draw upon Vail's water
supply. Last summer that intercon-
nection was critical to providing
enough water for the mid-valley. Until

the water treatment plant in Avon's
capacity is doubled - a $6.2 million
project expected to begin in mid-June-
the mid-valley will need Vail assistance
for water during warm weather. The
new treatment plant is expected to
come on line by November 1996.
In winter, when Vail has the bur-
geoning population, it draws upon the
mid-valley water supply. That intercon-
nection was begun last spring. resulting
in traffic delays between Dowd
Junction and Eagle-Vail.
That interconnection is being
expanded this spring. as larger pipes
are being laid along the South Frontage
Road in Vail between Intermountain
and the Cascade Club. That project is
expected to be completed by late May.
Being laid at the same time is a
pipeline carrying raw water from the
Eagle River to the slopes of Vail
Mountain. Vail Associates will use that
raw water for snowmaking.