The Castle Pines North Metro District provides the information on this page as a public service for the people of Castle Pines North

“Slow the Flow” Program an Impressive Success

CPNMD partnered last year with the Center for ReSource Conservation (CRC) and its professional water audit teams to evaluate sprinkler system operations and efficiencies for 67 CPNMD residential homeowners and 2 homeowner associations. The objective was to measurably reduce outdoor water use and reduce water bills.

Responses to CPNMD’s offer of free sprinkler system inspections last year were so overwhelming that 110 families and one HOA we serve are wait-listed for this year’s “Slow the Flow” program.

According to its insightful and comprehensive “Slow the Flow” 2010 Sprinkler System Audit Report (see CPNMD’s homepage at CPNMD.org), the most common problems CRC auditors found involved poorly spaced sprinkler heads, sprinkler heads positioned too low to the ground and sprinkler heads using improper pressure. Of the irrigation systems CRC audited, 17% had broken and/or leaking valves and 6% had broken and/or leaking pipes.

As part of its contracted service agreement with CPNMD, CRC auditors seasonally programmed each participating homeowner’s sprinkler system controller and timer, as appropriate for each irrigated area of the yard. Additionally, CRC auditors provided homeowners with a watering schedule.

After studying two core soil-samples per property, CRC auditors discovered that 98% of all samples were clay soil. This is significant, because while clay soil absorbs water very slowly, most sprinkler systems apply water rapidly. As a result, sprinklers often deliver more water than the soil can immediately absorb, leading to water and money literally flowing down the gutter. Consequently, CRC recommends utilizing the “Cycle and Soak” watering method outlined in its full report.

Instead of watering for 21 minutes in the average spray zone, CRC recommends three short watering cycles of approximately seven minutes each with an hour in between each cycle. Most irrigation control system timers can be set using the multiple start-times function.

Because the program was a resounding success for those who participated last year, and because of the existing wait list, if you believe the CPNMD Board should consider funding additional participation, we respectfully ask that you please:

1) Review the “Slow the Flow” 2010 Sprinkler System Audit Report; and

2) Email us or our District Manager, Jim Worley, at e-mail , with your thoughts.

Based on the feedback we receive this month, the CPNMD Board will determine whether or not to adjust various budget line-items to fund increased demand.

During its 3rd annually designated Fix a Leak Week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and CPNMD are teaming up to urge homeowners to focus on identifying and fixing common water leaks.

Toilets and irrigation systems are two of the most common household water-leak sources. An average home can easily waste a staggering 10,000 gallons of water per year from leaks.

Did you know a that shower head leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes over 500 gallons a year? That is enough water for 60 dishwasher loads!

For information on CPNMD’s water conservation rebates and xeriscaping advice, please visit our website at cpnmd.org and/or stop by CPNMD’s office at 7404 Yorkshire Drive.