Alamosa 2007 WCPlan

• Project Type: Water Conservation Plan
• Applicant: City of Alamosa
• Project Name: City of Alamosa Water Conservation Plan
• Title: Water Conservation Plan May 2007
• Date: 5/1/2007
• County: Alamosa
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Complete Plan

accordingly. The following tools and methods have been considered achieve water conservation
for domestic uses with rankings for expected effectiveness and cost:
Tools
Methods
Effectiveness
Cost
Overall
Ranking
Ranking
Ranking
Education
Direct Mail, PSA's,
1
1
1
School Programs,
Demonstrations,
Workshops
Conservation Rates
Inclining block
1
1
1
Use Audits
Leak Detection, Use
2
2
2
Patterns and quantities
Regulatory
Water Use Ordinances,
2
2
2
Landscaping Restrictions
Awards/Recognition
Landscaping
3
1
2
Fixture Rebates
Free Small Fixtures,
3
3
3
Rebates on larger fixtures
Irrigation Use
Almost half of the water we produce each year goes to irrigate lawns, parks, golf courses, and
school areas. About half of that amount is used by large institutional users, City parks, the
municipal golf course, and school district and Adams State College.
Alamosa is at 7,500 feet of elevation, subjecting the local landscaping to harsh sun during the
irrigation season with high winds, especially in the spring, which can desiccate plantings in short
order. In addition this are seldom receive more than seven inches of precipitation in any given
year. This makes it very difficult to sustain the traditional bluegrass lawns to which so many of
us have become accustomed.
Irrigation use can be controlled by two factors again, efficiency and demand management. Sub -
irrigation has a great potential for efficient irrigation of turf areas. It puts water where it is
needed, at the roots, while loosing much less to the evaporation effects of the wind and sun that
plague irrigation by surface rotors.
Changing planting selections in those areas that do not need turf can greatly reduce water
demand with informed plant selection as well. Working with representatives of the City of
Alamosa Parks and Recreation Department, the Cattails Golf Course, Adams State College, the
Alamosa School District, and community representatives, we have evaluated and ranked the
following measures:
City of Alamosa I Water Conservation Plan I May 2007 1 Page 14 of 29