Gilcrest WC Project Final Report

• Project Type: Ag/Muni Grant
• Contract/PO #: C153613
• Applicant: Town of Gilcrest
• Project Name: Water Conservation Project
• Title: Gilcrest Water Conservation Project Final Report
• County: Weld
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Final Report

GILCREST WATER CORSERVATIOR PROJECT

!'IRAL REPORT

The Town of Gilcrest
conservation tasks. The
results that occurred.

contracted to complete three water
following reports on the tasks and the

TASK 1. OPER SPACE WATER CORSERVATIOH

BACKGROURD
Until May 1993, the Town used well water for all domestic supply
and to irrigate its' baseball diamond and park. In May 1993, the
Town completed a major construction project that replaced most of
its existing well water with treated surface water. The two waters
are now being blended at a ratio of 80\ surface water, to 20\ well
water. The change reduces nitrate concentrations present in the
well water to meet public health goals.

PROJECT PURPOSE
Task 1 was designed to maintain the use of well water for parkland
irrigation in order to reduce water losses associated with the
treatment and transmission of surface water. Additionally. a rain
sensing device was proposed to eliminate irrigation during rain
showers.

PROJECT IHPLEHEBTATIOR
First, in 1992, a water meter was installed on the park irrigation
line in order to measure the amount of water applied to the
baseball park. The Town then contracted with a well and pump
company to rehabilitate a well that had not been used in recent
years. A new pump was added and a new water line to the baseball
park was installed. At the park, the irrigation timing equipment
was connected to start the well pumping during the normal
irrigation timing sequence. A rain sensing device was installed to
interrupt the normal irrigation cycle so that irrigation would not
occur when it was raining. The irrigation timer skips a cycle when
water is in the rain sensing "cup". Additionally, because the well
pump was downsized to save on energy and operating costs, new
sprinkler heads had to be installed to properly distribute the
water at the new water pressure.

Water conservation was expected from eliminating shrinkage
associated with the treatment and transmission of surface water.
Shrinkage was estimated at 10-12\ over and above the water
delivered and resulted from the backwashing of water treatment
plant filters, and line leakages. Small additional water savings
were expected from the use of the rain sensing device.