South Adams County Water and Sanitation District Irrigation System Fact 303-288-2646 Volume 1, Issue 1 Sheet June, 2002

District implements separate irrigation system in

North Range Development Inside this issue: As everyone is aware, water in Colorado is a very valuable supplies underneath our ser- supplies. vice area. The groundwater natural resource. Water pro- Once the irrigation system is New separate irrigation 1 supplies are high in minerals viders throughout the State operational, the District is system and other inorganic com- need to fully utilize every wa- hopeful that the rates for the pounds like nitrates, sulfates ter resource available to them. irrigation water will be lower and sodium. It could be very This is why the South Adams than the rates for the potable Water Quality, is it safe 1 expensive to try and remove County Water and Sanitation water. The reason for this is to drink? the minerals and inorganic District is implementing a dual that we don’t anticipate having compounds for potable pur- water supply. All new devel- expensive treatment costs for poses, but the untreated Seasons of Operation 2 opments in the northern part the irrigation supplies. of the District will have two groundwater works great for water systems; a potable sys- landscape irrigation. This fact sheet is being pro- vided to answer some of the tem for indoor use and a sepa- It will take several years for most frequently asked ques- Starting your sprinkler 2 rate irrigation system for use the District to implement the tions regarding the separate system in the spring in underground irrigation sys- irrigation supplies and infra- irrigation system, and provide tems. structure. During the interim tips on water conservation. Many municipalities are evalu- period, the irrigation system Winterizing your sprin- 2 ating the use of treated waste- will be served off of the pota- kler system water for irrigation systems. ble water system. When the The District WILL NOT be irrigation water system is op- Water Conservation 2 erational, the District will using treated wastewater, but tips will utilize the groundwater switch over to the irrigation

Can you drink the irrigation Water?

The District anticipates chlo- stalled hose-bib connections on rinating the irrigation supplies the non-potable irrigation sys- with enough chlorine to keep tem. The non-potable system is PURPLE IS THE COLOR bacteria growth down in the intended for irrigation purposes When you see purple pipe, valve • Over 50% of the water irrigation system piping. This only. The outside spigots at- box covers, or service lines, you used annually by a typical know that is part of the irrigation chlorine might make the water tached to your house will be single family home in safe to drink, but because we connected to the potable water system. aren’t going to treat the irriga- service so, to remain safe, you Colorado is used for land- tion water to potable drinking can use the outside spigots scape irrigation. water standards, the use of the for washing the car, or the • As you landscape your irrigation water is limited to new yard, keep water ONLY UNDERGROUND conservation in mind; use SPRINKLER SYSTEMS. low water consuming So, don’t tap into your irriga- plants, and properly pre- tion service with an above pare your soil to reduce ground hose connection. The water demand. District will not allow these types of connections because • Water your landscape of the concern for your fam- between the hours of 10 ily’s health and safety. pm and 3 am. It has been brought to the kids summer water toys. District’s attention that some customers have already in- These types of connections are not allowed. Page 2 Irrigation System Fact Sheet

How do we coordinate the public and private irrigation systems?

To avoid freezing, the District nel lock pliers, remove the lid and irrigation system will be in opera- close the valve by turning it a 1/4 of a tion from April 15th to October turn so it is perpendicular to the 15th of each year. When the pipe. This should drain the service District’s system is out of service, line from the backflow prevention you will still be able to water your device back to the stop and waste landscaped area by using the hose valve. Each homeowner or business spigots attached to your house. should also drain and winterize the They are connected to your pota- rest of their sprinkler system. Leave This is a typical backflow preventer ble water service. the stop and waste valve in the (pressure vacuum breaker) on a closed position until after April 15th home. Open or close the test Each year you will have to coordi- of the following year when you are valves by turning the screw 1/4 of a nate the operation of your under- ready to bring the system back on turn. ground sprinkler system with the line. operation of the District’s system. The District will begin shutting Do not open your stop and waste down the irrigation system valve in the spring until you have around October 15th of each closed your test valves on your pres- year. Every owner of a private sure vacuum breaker. When you irrigation system needs to close open the stop and waste valve, and their stop and waste valves and bring your irrigation system on line, open the test valves on their you will also want to check your backflow prevention device. entire system for leaks. The stop and waste valve is lo- You also need to keep the grass cated in the 3-inch valve box that trimmed around the stop and waste is between the irrigation meter pit valve box. If you don’t, the grass will and your home or business. The grow over it and it will be hard to The smaller valve box is for the valve box has a cast iron lid la- find. stop and waste valve. There should be a riser for the stop and beled “water” or “irrigation”. By waste valve, so it should be easy using a crescent wrench or chan- to operate. A 1/4 of a turn is all that is needed to open or close the valve

Water Conservation

Currently, as Colorado is ex- nesses, home builders and home- Here are some other tips for periencing drought conditions, owners should consider xeris- saving water: many local communities have caping. ⇒ Water your lawn every instituted mandatory watering Xeriscape is a technique which third day, and only when it restrictions. incorporates water efficient needs it, during the morn- As of now, the South Adams turfs, plants and groundcovers ing or late evening. Never County Water and Sanitation into the landscape design. Xeris- water during windy condi- District is calling for voluntary cape practices consists of: plan- tions. reductions in water use. How- ning and design, limited turf ⇒ Fix leaky faucets. ever, depending on the climate, areas, efficient irrigation, soil ⇒ Use a broom to clean we do not know if and when we improvements, use of mulches, driveways, walks and patios. may need to go to mandatory lower water demand plants, and ⇒ Install faucet aerators water restrictions. appropriate maintenance. Soil Turn the faucet off when improvement is particularly im- ⇒ New homeowners are encour- portant in the northeast suburbs brushing your teeth, wash- aged to consider asking their of Denver, as the soil is very ing your face or shaving. builder to delay installing their sandy and therefore does not ⇒ Run only full loads in the landscape until the fall. When hold water moisture efficiently. dishwasher and washing installing new landscapes, busi- machine.