March 15, 2013 - National Fix a Leak Week and a dry winter are good reminders to conserve water

Media Contacts:
Jody Jacobson, 303-441-3122
Sarah Huntley, Media Relations, 303-441-3155
www.bouldercolorado.gov

National Fix a Leak Week and a dry winter are good reminders to conserve water  

As WaterSense, a US Environmental Protection Agency Partnership, promotes its fifth annual Fix a Leak Week from March 18 to 24, 2013, the City of Boulder and its partners want to remind water customers to consider new ways to conserve this precious resource in their own lives.

“Last year, we had a remarkably dry spring and we started seeing people turn on their sprinkler systems very early,” said Water Conservation Program Manager Russ Sands.  “We want to remind people that even in a dry year, lawns can stay dormant until later in the year and will still green-up. Luckily, the recent snow will help your lawn remain healthy well into the beginning of summer without irrigating early. ”

Water customers are encouraged to wait to turn on irrigation systems until May.  However, hand watering of trees is recommended.  Filling gallon jugs with water and poking small holes in the bottom, the use of soaker hoses and deep root watering with soil needles are cost-effective, water conserving irrigation techniques that target tree roots.

Private lawns don’t see the foot-traffic that city parks do.  High foot-traffic areas like sports fields require more water than homeowners’ lawns. The Parks and Recreation Department works closely with the Water Conservation Program to use water efficiently and to protect community assets.  To properly protect park trees and valued turf and gathering areas, city parks will require irrigation during the spring. 

Recent city investments have equipped water meters throughout Boulder with the ability to alert the city of customer accounts that show continuous 24-hour water use, which can be indicative of a leak. The city is mailing postcards to customers whose accounts have been flagged for continuous use and that are in the highest water use billing blocks.  If you have questions about your own account or would like to request a mid-cycle meter reading, please contact Utility Billing at 303-441-3260.

A leaky toilet can waste up to 500 gallons per day.  To help customers check for toilet leaks, outreach tables are planned for local hardware stores to provide customers with water saving tips and free toilet leak tablets.

The city’s Water Conservation Program, in partnership with Boulder County, is also initiating two special efforts aimed at helping commercial and multi-family property owners to save water and money.  Select commercial customers will be receiving letters for a free indoor water assessment provided by Boulder County with water rebate assistance for eligible customers.  Muti-family property owners with laundry rooms are encouraged to contact the EnergySmart Program at www.energysmartyes.com to get rebate assistance for washing machines, and the Water Conservation Program will match granted rebate amounts.

For more information about the city’s Water Conservation Program, contact Russ Sands at 303-413-7407.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 12:34