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<br />.." ';"" <br /> <br />~.. ~. <br />"", <br />:""'.,",: <br />.' -./ <br />'" <br /> <br />....... <br /> <br />.;-:... <br />4i;. <br /> <br />.~t~ . <br /> <br />~, <br />:-:, <br /> <br />", <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />e) Implement central irrigation control for ~lUblic landscaping. <br /> <br />Central irrigation control is a system whereby the irrigation of numerous, <br />'scattered sites~-such as, with pubIlclandscapes--can be controlled from a single <br />central location. The central computer, along with the associated software, <br />communicates via radio or modem to the satellite irrigation controllers at each <br />, of the sites. Within a few minutes time, all of the controllers can be programmed <br />in drrectrelation to the actual water requirements of the landscape, as <br />determined by a weather station and software that calculates the <br />evapotranspiration and measures the rainfall. 'It would also allow for the <br />interruption of all irrigation, in the event of a significant rainfall. Furthermore, <br />it would signal an "alarm" condition if a flowmeter on one of the irrigation <br />systems registered too high (indicating a pipe or sprinkler break), or too low <br />(indicating an inoperative sprinkler or valve). <br /> <br />To date, a central control feasibility study has been completed for the Parks and <br />Recreation Department, and a weather station has been installed and is <br />accessible via modem. Additionally, the central control computer and software <br />have been purchased, with Golden Meadows and Troutman parks being on-line. <br /> <br />The current plan is to gradually convert to central control, as the Parks and <br />Recreation 'department is able to budget for it. An accelerated program of <br />conversion is worthy of consideration. " <br /> <br />f) Perform an audit of indoor water use at city and public facilities. and install more <br />water-efficient olumbin!! fixtures. where determined to be cost-effective. <br /> <br />Although there is a greater potential for water savings with landscape irrigation, <br />there is still a significant amount of indoor water use at city and public facilities <br />(an estimat~-.184 acre:feet an.l1ualk,. }Vith almosLlO-IDilli<m-gallooS-Ysed-at-EFIE:- - - , <br />alone). A reasonably thorough audit would likely result in a number of cost- <br />effective recommendations for conversion to more efficient. water use. <br /> <br />As with the irrigation of public landscapes, there are several uses of water at <br />public facilities that are subject to great scrutiny. One specific example is the <br />showers at EPIC. They are currently the standard type of fixture, allowing the <br />user to turn them on and off at will. Many people have complained that the <br />showers seem to be often left on, with a notable wasting of water and energy. As <br />an alternative, push-timer activated shower fixtures could be installed, requiring <br />the user to activate the timer every 15 seconds or so to keep it on. The devices <br />would probably have an acceptable payback period, in addition to being a highly- <br />visible, symbolic demonstration of the City's intent to use water efficiently. <br /> <br />5 <br />