Water Conservation Grant Program Report

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Gilcrest County: Weld Funding: $16,600 Start: mO/92 Status: Completed The project involved three elements of water conservation to assist residents in feduCing water demand. The fmt element was con- verting Gilcrest's town well to irrigation only by installing a new pump and water line to tie the well to the town parl<'s irrigation sys- tem. A meter and rain sensing devices were also installed to improve park irrigation efficiency. Retrofit devices (such as low-flow showerbeads, bathroom and kitchen aerators and low-flow toilets) were installed in 256 (86%) of the bomes in Gilcrest The town also convened from a flat water rate to a metered rate, whicb increased customer bills from 89-144%. Wmter water use was monitored and showed that water use in the winter of 1993-94 was 25% less than in 1992-93. Wastewater flows were reduced by 22%, La Salle County: Weld Funding: $4,572 Start: 5/15/92 Status: Completed This project demonstrated water conserving landscape methods and comparative water requirements for different plant species to increase community awareness about water conservation, while water metering and rates were being increased. Wild flowers, tall fes- cue grass and Kentucky bluegrass were planted in sections of equal size (about the same size as an average residential lot) with indi- vidually metered watering systems. A comparison of water use data from an existing metered Kentucky bluegrass park was also included. Additionally, the project was documented with photos to provide visual comparisons of aesthetic values. From April I to July 15 the fescue sod used 38% less water than the bluegrass sod. The fescue sod used 32% less water than the wildflower mix, After July 15, the wildflower area was abandoned due to a weed infestation. For the full 1993 growing season, the fescue sod used 23.5% less than the bluegrass sod. , The approximate savings that a homeowner could have received, if they had a fescue lawn, was estimat- ed at $38.42 per year. Loveland County: Larimer Funding: $17,930 Start: 8/15/92 Status: Completed The goals of this project included: increasing customer awareness of the effects of water conservation devices; extending the useful life of the water system; and collecting data for evaluation of future projects. Between October 1992 and January 1993, water use audits were conducted on 580 single-family bomes. Tbe audits included flow measurement and indoor leak checks on faucets and showerheads, and dye-tablet detection of toilet leaks. Homeowners received explanations of how water and sewer bills are calculat- ed, Homeowners were responsible for leak repairs, but received free assistance for minor adjustments and installation of water sav- ings devices, Water use data for participating homeowners and a control group of non-participants was collected and evaluated for the winter months of December, January and February in the years 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993, The audit group had Significantly higher water use than both the control group and the general population, However, the study also found that the higher the water use, the high- er the percentage savings from retrofit devices, The estimated water reduction resulting from retrofit devices in the audit group was 19.9%, If the entire population installed retrofit devices, the estimated overall water reduction would be 17,7%. Northwest Colorado Council of Governments County: Summit Funding: $20,425 Start: 7/15/92 Status: Completed This project's goal was to assist resort communities in the development of water conservation plans and projects. The City of Steamboat Springs provided a controlled environment for detailed monitoring of indoor water consumption and water use habits from multifamily residents before and after installation of water conserving devices. Data collected was used to produce a spreadsheet that identifies water use patterns in mountain resort communities, identifies water conservation options and evaluates investments in water efficiency measures, The spreadsbeet contains information on water consumption, water service data, fmancial data, and allows cont- parison and evaluation of different water conservation options available that can belp any resort community evaluate system-wide con- servation options and select the most beneficial projects,