Eighty (80%) percent of water used by residents in the Village is for outdoor irrigation. Therefore, the District’s water efficiency efforts focus on outdoor watering.
Spring Check-Up and Monthly Follow-Up – In starting your irrigation system, you should check for broken heads, direction of spray, leaks in lines, and frequency and duration of various zones. After the initial spring check-up, we recommend that residents recheck monthly.
Irrigation Clock Management – Educate yourself, your family members, and your next-door neighbor (in case you are traveling) on how to manage your irrigation clock. Just being able to turn off the system before, during and after it rains will save water and your pocketbook. Adjust your irrigation schedule to accommodate changes in seasonal water demand. Do not water in the heat of the day since too much is lost through evaporation and avoid watering during the peak water consumption hours of 10 am to 6 pm.
Frequency of Watering – It is better to cycle and soak irrigate your lawn. This means run your irrigation system for two shorter periods per run time rather than once for a longer period. Here in the Village, we have relatively poor soils and hilly terrains, which absorb water slowly if at all. Watering grass twice allows the moisture to soak in. If you have a few hot spots in your lawn, consider watering those by hand held hose rather than turning on your entire irrigation system. Do not water on windy days. The Village has a recommended irrigation schedule for watering days as follows: Even number addresses on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday and odd numbered addresses on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, no watering 10 am to 6 pm.
Landscaping – Trees and shrubs need to dry out between watering events. Grass will look good watered with only 20″ of water applied throughout the entire growing season, if there is adequate root growth. The CPHA & District can provide you with a list of low water native trees, shrubs and plants. Use layers of mulch around plants to help reduce evaporation and promote plant growth. Add organic material to garden beds to improve the soil.
Grass Mowing – Raise the lawn mower blade to a height of 3 or 4 inches. Closely cut grass makes roots work much harder, which requires more water.
Village Water Problems – Report all significant water losses from broken pipes, open hydrants, errant sprinklers, etc. to the District at 303.688.8330.
Lawn Care and Watering Articles
The following articles are provided courtesy of Craig R. Miller, Horticulturist and ISA Certified Arborist
(Excerpt) Research has shown that simple maintenance practices can encourage grass roots to seek water and grow deeper. Such things as postponing irrigation system start up until May, watering deeply and infrequently, spring and fall lawn aeration, proper mowing/fertilization and never watering when the soil is wet (as in right after a rain or irrigation event) all contribute to deep roots. When the
hot dry days of summer arrive, your grass will be able to
go longer between waterings.
(Excerpt) Practicing the following guidelines can decrease water use by up to 30% over the course of the growing season: Wait to activate your sprinkler system as late into the season as possible depending on the weather. Sprinkler systems should not be set to run until mid-to late May at the earliest. By starting later, you will encourage grass roots to seek water and grow deeper. When hot, dry summer days arrive, the deeper root system means the grass can go longer between waterings.
(Excerpt) More than half of all water used between May and October is used outdoors. That’s why Castle Pines Metro District has provided this guide to help you manage your outdoor water use. Most lawns in Colorado are over watered. The table provided in this guide suggests the amount of inches per week of water to apply to your lawn to provide adequate moisture for an attractive yard during a typical irrigation season.
Learn about watering efficiently, comparative annual water requirements for different grasses, irrigating efficiently, how to audit your irrigation systems, efficient sprinkler head spacing, pressure problems, and water-wise irrigation management.