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<br />,-:~ <br /> <br />The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Metro Water Conservation, Inc., are sponsoring the <br />project. Metro \Vater is a nonprofit organization made up primarily of metropolitan Denver <br />water-supply agencies committed to water conservation programs. Nine water utilities along the <br />Colorado Front Range are also participating. The Colorado Front Range is one of five sites in <br />the western United States participating in the study. Other cities participating are Las Vegas, <br />NY, Fargo, ND, Phoenix, AZ, and Austin, TX. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Discussion <br /> <br />Some variables that will be studied are soil type, climatic condition, yard size, level of <br />Xeriscape (% reduction over water requirements for Kentucky Bluegrass), irrigation system, <br />income level, and installation type (new development, retrofit, pre-existing Xeriscape). The U.S. <br />Bureau of Reclamation is planning on developing a computer model using the study results of all <br />five western cities. The computer model will help determine the benefits ofXeriscape in other <br />locations in the West. This model will be available on the Internet in the future. <br /> <br />Approximately 400 single-family homes along the Colorado Front Range were selected <br />to participate. The participants consist of 188 homes with Xeriscape landscapes and 201 control <br />sites with traditional landscapes. Of the 188 Xeriscape homes, 88 are new homes with no prior <br />landscaping, 70 are retrofitted homes with existing landscaping, and 30 are homes with a <br />preexisting Xeriscape landscape. <br /> <br />The participating homeowners that have installed a Xeriscape landscape in at least one- <br />half of their landscape received benefits, including a partial cash rebate, design assistance, <br />discounts on materials and education. Additional expenses were paid by the homeowners. <br />Water use, maintenance time and landscaping costs will be monitored over the study period. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Xeriscape participants were selected from 1997 through the fall of 1998. The controls <br />were selected from 1998 through 1999. Xeriscape landscapes were completed by early summer <br />1999. Data collection began in 1997 and will continue through 2002. The final results will be <br />reported in 2003. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br /> <br />This agenda item is for your information only, and no time has been allocated for discussion. <br />However, I would be happy to answer any questions or refer you to Ms. Julia Gumper, Project <br />manager for FY2000. <br /> <br />LlBOARDMEM\MAROO\OOOJ27b - Y ARDX.doc <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />2 <br />