Water Conservation Grant Program Report

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~ . Nuda County: Montrose Funding: $40,400 Start: 10/15/93 Status: On-going The goals of the project are to: reduce the amount of treated water used for irrigation; extend the life of the current water treaanent plant; reduce capital cost associated with compliance with EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act regulations; increase the community's capac- ity to provide potable and non-potable water for residential, commercial or industrial uses; provide a water-efficient irrigation system; and provide water conservation notices with the monthly billing statements. The project consists of constructing a raw water gravity flow irrigation system from a raw water source to several public use sites within the community, A gravity flow system would auto- matically allow for 60 psi because of the water surface elevation of the raw water, The high school, elementary school and municipal park will be served by this system. Water consumption before and after implementation of the improvements will be done and will include meter feadingS prior to the conversion to raw water irrigation, Meter readings and use recordings will be performed after the conversion to raw water irrigation to defme cost savings to the community. The town of Nucla has installed the head gate at the ditch and has laid pipeline all the way to the high school. Because of having to place the pipeline in solid bedrock and not being able to blast the rock so close the residential buildings, the amount of time it has taken is much more than was anticipated. Since the town is laying the pipeline through residential areas to get to the schools and park, it was decided to offer an option to residents to tap into the line to irrigate their lawns, The response has been overwhelming, Every resi- dent bas signed up to be connected to the line. The town plans to do bas much laying of pipe this winter as possible. Next spring they will start supplying raw water for irrigation to the high school. Oak Creek Elementary Cnunty: EI Paso Funding: $9,650 Start: 1111/93 Status: On-going The project consists of developing an outdoor environmental center where students can utilize their skills in practical applications. This center will provide the resource for teaching practical math and science concepts. The goals include: increasing community awareness of the effects of xeriscaping; extending the useful life of the water system; and collecting data for evaluation of future projects. The plant material chosen will provide an environment capable of sustaining various birds and insects species, which will allow for unlim- ited educational opportunities, There will be a xeriscape garden that will give the means of making a hands-on approach to water use efficiency available to students, teachers and the community. Lesson plans will be developed to be utilized by all teachers in the ele- mentary school. The students will be involved in preparing signage to identify plant species in the garden. About 80% of the landscaping has been completed, The pathways have all been laid out. There are two structures that are in the process of being built, a sundial and a small amphitheater for the students. The lesson plans have been completed and distributed to each teacher, The landscape will be completed in the spring of 1995. Otis County: Washington Funding: $3,000 Start: 7/15/93 Status: On-going This project will build a demonstration xefiscape garden on city lots bordering Highway 34, The garden will feature a handicapped accessible path, a dry stream bed, a rock garden with native moss rock and native prairie flora. A large section of the garden will be reserved for plants dependent upon natural rainfall only. The project goals include: increasing customer awareness of the effects of water efficient garden; extending the usefnllife of the water system; and collecting data for evaluation of future pr~ects. The garden will educate visitors on plant selection, design, mulching methods and soil improvement of xeriscape gardening, IdentifIcation tags will be used to label plants in the garden and the landscape design will be on display. The garden bas been completed and well established. All the plants are in and labeled. Many of the residents visit the garden and help maintain it by pulling weeds, The town is now collecting the watering information for its fmal report.