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<br />. Requiring irrigation system efficiency averaging at least 650/0 for all types <br />of irrigation heads. This rule would address problems of uneven pressure, <br />improper spacing of irrigation heads, improper drainage of heads, inadequate <br />or improper irrigation maintenance, and waste of water that sprays onto <br />sidewalks, streets, driveways and gutters. <br />· Requiring soil amendment before new landscape is installed. When <br />organic matter is incorporated into sandy or clay soils, the nutrient level <br />increases and so does the water availability to plant roots. Research shows a <br />200/0 decrease in water needs of plants in well-amended soil. The Town of <br />Castle Rock, the cities of Aurora and Westminster require soil amendment <br />before any new landscape can be installed. <br />· Limiting the amount of cool-season turf grass that can be irrigated on <br />any given site. Cool season turf grasses such as Kentucky blue grass require <br />18 gallons of applied irrigation in addition to precipitation per square foot per <br />growing season. Some cities restrict the number of square feet of this turf <br />that can be installed. <br />· Requiring only sub-surface irrigation on medians 15 feet wide or less. <br />Since spray irrigation along roadways is almost always inefficient, this <br />ordinance would require the water to stay on the landscape and off the <br />gutters and streets. <br /> <br />Gearing Up Our Own Efforts <br /> <br />Although Denver Water is not a branch of local government, it is perceived by <br />many customers and stakeholders as part of government. Therefore it is <br />essential that Denver Water be a role model for water conservation too. Denver <br />Water has implemented many conservation measures over the years, both <br />supply-side and demand-side. Supply-side measures are defined here as those <br />implemented by a water provider in its own facilities, usually those between the <br />source of supply and the customer's meter. Demand-side measures are defined <br />here as those efforts under the control of the customer and downstream of the <br />customer's meter. <br /> <br />In the supply-side category, there are highly visible and much less visible efforts. <br />Leak detection is less visible. Each year, staff uses sonic measuring devices to <br />check for leaks in the distribution system, covering the entire system about every <br />three years. Significant leaks are repaired quickly; the others are scheduled for <br />repair as time allows. Denver Water has one of the lowest unaccounted-for <br />water (UAW) metrics in the nation. However, staff thinks these metrics can be <br />improved even further. Therefore a thorough analysis of leaks, meter accuracy <br />and analytical methods will be initiated in late 2007. <br /> <br />Landscape improvements are more visible supply-side measures. Denver Water <br />has been upgrading landscapes to Xeriscape on its own properties since 1992. <br />During the summer of 2006, Denver Water hosted three anniversary parties to <br />celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Xeriscape. Over 750 customers toured the <br />world's first Xeriscape Demonstration Garden at the Administration building of <br />Denver Water, and learned how they could have beautiful landscapes while <br />saving water at their properties as well. <br /> <br />22 <br />