They were inevitable. Watering restrictions, that is. So many Colorado communities had declared weeks ago that water restrictions would be imposed this year, beginning sometime this spring, because of the ongoing drought.
Finally, this morning, an email notice arrived to tell me my community, too, is now under restrictions. The timing is ironic since I’m sitting here watching snow come down horizontally in what is supposed to be a major spring storm (disappointing so far; only a couple of inches vs forecast 8″-10″-12″). Too little too late, though. They say we still need five more feet of snow in the mountains to bring our snowpack (primary water supply) up to normal levels. Not gonna happen.
I don’t think the restrictions are going to cause much of a problem, however. Watering two days a week instead of three — I’ll just water a little longer and a little deeper. Hand watering will still be allowed any time, and also soaker, drip, bubbler, and root watering systems. Luckily I had a drip system installed with most of my new planting last spring, so I’m hoping I won’t lose any of that investment (assuming, of course, that I didn’t lose any of it over the winter; it’s still to early to tell.)
I will have to remind myself when I see those huge sprinklers running in parks and on golf courses that most of them supposedly are using recycled water. I very much appreciate our beautiful parks and open spaces, but think maintaining golf courses in naturally arid climates is a terrible waste of water.
Postscript: Hmm, I just noticed the name of the clerk who sent out the email — Heather Waters.
Excellent. People in this state know a lot about that sort of thing.
The clerk’s name is a bit like the weather girls like Wendy Stormy? (Giggles)
Hope this is as restrictive as the mandate gets. I worry about the golf courses here ( also recycled water – but so much evaporation …should mandate drip, perhaps…)
We have been politely “asked” to conserve for several months (No rain much Feb/Mar which are usually soggy). Sprinkler systems are worth the investment 9 Not much worry about that hard a freeze here – there, it’s different) We bought a small yard intentionally and have made larger and larger native plantings to reduce grass. But I wish the subdivisions would allow “natural landscaping/prairie grass which needs little water and no mowing…would make sense..so it probably won’t happen
They reduced grass in my subdivision by putting wide (3″-10″) borders of loose river rock completely around each backyard, filling most of each side yard, front beds, and bordering driveways. It cuts down a lot on the amount of grass but I hate the stuff. Difficult to walk across, constantly scatters into the rest of the yard, harbors weeds and stray grass, and holds way too much heat against the house every evening. If I could afford it, I’d at least replace it with pavers or something I wouldn’t twist an ankle on. Replacing it with grass would mean rearranging the sprinkler system. Xeriscaping is encouraged here, which is nice. I love the grasses.