Water Rule W-8 NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 e DPU’s local Water Rule W-8 requires that watering be done before 10 a.m and after 5 p.m. to avoid the high evaporaiton rates that occur during the heat of the day. Also required is watering every other day according to your address. Odd addresses: Wed., Fri. & Sun. Even addresses on Tues., urs. & Sat. Waterwise Contributors Matthew Dickens Los Alamos Dept of Public Utilities matthew.dickens @ lacnm.us, 662-8234 Carlos Valdez Los Alamos Cooperative Extension [email protected] 662-2656 Editor: Allison Majure Los Alamos Dept of Public Utilities [email protected] 662-8133 Ed. Note: After hundreds of local, Los Alamos County, home audits to assist homeowners in saving water, DPU’s Matthew Dickens has identified some of the most effective, economical and easy-to-use devices available today. Spring is here and we’re getting busy in our yards., and busy shopping for our yards, When visiting a home improvement store, or an irrigation supply shop, you might consuder the following water conservation tools. ese tools help to conserve water, minimize water waste, and improve your yard’s overall health and appearance. In this issue we recommend home irrigation tools and upgrades that will assist with each of those goals. Recommended Home Irrigation Upgrades Smart Controllers/Timers Smart controllers have been in commercial practice for many years, but the equipment is being redesigned and marketed for homeowners and non- irrigation professionals. Advances allow customers to readily establish irrigation schedules that integrate plant water needs with historical weather data including local solar, temperature and moisture levels. Some controllers use programmed data while others receive information via satellite. e controller takes into account the weather data and automatically adjusts the irrigation run times, increasing efficiency while reducing overall outdoor water use. Results from an independent study suggest that the smart controller can save up to 30 percent more than controllers lacking this programmed intelligence. In Los Alamos 30 percent of our water use is concentrated out- doors. A Smart Controller could allow a 9 percent savings on total water use. Slow Stream Spray Heads Slow stream spray heads/nozzles, such as the MP Rotator, allow home irrigators to increase their irrigation system’s distribution uniformity (DU*) to approximately 80 percent, compared to a standard DU of 65 percent. Additional benefits offered include a low application rate that reduces runoff on sloped turf areas and compacted soils. Slow stream spray heads/nozzles also work efficiently with low water pressures and operate multiple irrigation zones simultaneously. *Distribution Uniformity – For irrigation, DU measures how uniformly water is applied to a given area, expressed in percent. Drip Irrigation Systems Drip irrigation systems can nearly double irrigation efficiencies, by emitting water directly to the plant’s root zone, where the water is needed. A drip system, when properly designed and managed, efficiently maintains an optimal range of moisture in the soil because it applies water in a precise manner and reduces water waste caused by misting, overspray and runoff. Drip systems come in a variety of packages ranging from a more complex installation method, to those ready to use out of the box. Regardless, it is important to make sure that your new drip system is capable of fulfilling your irrigation needs. Top Tools for Water Conservation By Matthew Dickens, DPU Conservation Coordinator is Issue Top Tools for Water Conservation Master Gardeners Plant of the Month New Mexico’s Drought Outlook • • • • MAY 2009 Los Alamos Cooperative Extension Service • Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities Waterwise Gardening