1. One of the biggest challenges facing Colorado regarding water resources is living within the limits imposed by our climate while population and the economy grow. This requires balancing water usage with protecting the environment and agriculture. 2. Regarding water conservation, Colorado communities still have potential to reduce per capita water usage, which currently ranges widely from over 300 gallons per capita per day to under 100 gallons. 3. Changing human behavior around water usage takes time, money, and sometimes generational changes. Implementing new policies around land use, development, and agricultural water infrastructure can help drive future water conservation.

1. waterwise
The official publication of Colorado WaterWise
The Voice of the Colorado
Summer 2012
Water Conservation
Community
www.coloradowaterwise.org
in this issue...
Pg 3. Call for case
studies
Pg 7. An Interview
with Reagan Waskom
Peak Water Pg 12. The Big Thirst
-Book Review
Season Pg 13. Northern
Water’s Survey and
Next Steps

2. the editors
WaterWise is the official publication of
From
Colorado WaterWise and is published
four times a year (Mar, Jun, Sep, and
Dec). Articles are due the month before
the newsletter comes out.
Colorado experienced a dry spring reminiscent of 2002. Not knowing
what the future will hold, reminds everyone the importance of using water Officers:
efficiently. Co-chairs: Esther Vincent-Northern Water
& Lyle Whitney-Aurora
Please save the date for the Colorado WaterWise Annual Event which Co-secretaries: Drew Beckwith-Western
will now be called Annual Conservation Summit on October 19th, 2012. Resource Advocates & Ruth Quade-
The intent is to get more of the policy makers in the room rather than just Greeley
preaching to the choir. Co-treasurers: Frank Kinder-Colorado
Springs & Sarah Fluery-Eagle River
Colorado WaterWise is working on some new projects that will be a great help
Board Members:
to those implementing a conservation plan or who will be required to report
The officers above and Stu Feinglas-
their conservation saving to the state in compliance with HB 1051. The first Westminster, Kim Frick-Tri-Districts;
is in the “members only” section of the website. Case studies based on the Dan Stellar-Center for ReSource
Best Practices Guidebook will be posted for members to use when developing Conservation; Alyssa Quinn-Platte
new programs or projects. The other project is a Water Conservation Savings Canyon; Dave Merritt-HDR
calculator. Some tools are out there already, but really don’t fit Colorado Engineering; Russ Sands-City of Boulder;
utilities. The goal will be for utilities to load their data into the calculator and Lucas Mouttet-Fort Collins, Laura Wing-
be able to calculate what the best return on investment for customers. Thornton; Cindy Moe-Denver Water
Because these projects will cost money, Colorado WaterWise needs a more Newsletter Editors: Kim Frick, Leslie
sustainable business model. Therefore, along with a new membership Martien, Ruth Quade, Laurie D’Audney
structure, this will be that last free issue of the newsletter. A newsletter only
Design: Rob Sherman
membership will now cost $30 per year. All other membership levels will
also be adjusted to help pay for some of the projects that are proposed in Advertising Sales: Natalie Brower-Kirton,
2012. 720-427-6029, nbrower@auroragov.org
Kim Frick
Reach the editors at: To submit a story topic, email Kim Frick
Kim Frick: Kfrick@scwtp.org Ruth Quade at Kfrick@scwtp.org
Ruth Quade: Ruth.Quade@greeleygov.com
Leslie Martien: Leslie@aquacraft.com L Martien
eslie WaterWise articles may be reproduced in
Laurie D’Audney: Ldaudney@fcgov.com other publications with credit given to the
Laurie D’Audney author and ColordoWaterWise. Any
advertisement of or reference to a product
or service is not intended as an
endorsement.
This newsletter is intended to spark
CO WaterWise Board Meetings dialogue about various issues concerning
water conservation in Colorado. The
Second Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon viewpoints of the authors are not
necessarily those of the Colorado
RMSAWWA Water Conservation Committee Meetings WaterWise.
Third Mondays, 10-11 a.m.
Colorado WaterWise Major Sponsors

3. Colorado WaterWise is in the process of building a database of case studies and model ordinances in
regards to the Water Conservation Best Practices that were developed. Share your success stories with
fellow Colorado WaterWise members and learn how Best Practices are creating results! Go to www.
coloradowaterwise.org to learn more. Please submit:
1. Study or Ordinance Title
2. A couple of sentences describing the study or ordinance
3. PDF of study summary and associated files (lower resolution desired) with files named as you want to
see them on the website
4. Contact information
Submissions should be made to: laura.wing@cityofthornton.net. Your submissions will be posted in the
Member-only section of our website, in the Best Practice Guide section. You will need to log in to see the
Member-only section. Case studies and ordinances will be showcased under the relevant Best Practice:
BP1: Metering, Rates, Tap Fees, Billing System BP9: Landscape Design, Installation, Maint.
BP2. Integrated Resources Planning BP10: Irrigation Efficiency Evaluations
BP3: System Water Loss Control BP11: Rules for New Construction
BP4: Conservation Coordinator BP12: Fixture Replacement - Residential and Non-Res.
BP5: Water Waste Ordinance BP13: Water Surveys - Residential
BP6: Public Information and Education BP14: Water Surveys - Non-Residential
BP7: Landscape Water Budgets
BP8: Rules for Landscape Design We look forward to seeing your work!
Thank you, Colorado WaterWise Board of Directors
WaterWise 3 Spring 20112012
Summer

4. CWCB Statewide Drought Conference
Building a Drought Resilient Economy
through Innovation
September 19-20, 2012
Photo by Bill Green
Topics to be covered during this two day conference:
Colorado History
Drought & Colorado's economy
Share information and experiences on:
Museum
Insuring a drought resiliency in Colorado among all sectors

Advances in drought monitoring, mitigation and impact assessment
Denver, Colorado 
Innovations drought preparedness

Responses to and impacts from the 2011 drought

Managing drought related risk

Who should attend?
Opportunities for interagency/ intergovernmental collaboration and

public/ private partnerships on drought response and mitigation efforts
Governmental, 
private sector and
non-profit
Urban Environments
Highlight Drought Preparedness Innovations in:
professionals &
Tourism & Recreation

practitioners will find
Agriculture

Energy Sector
this conference highly 
applicable and 
informative.
What the latest science says about drought and climate change
Climate Change
Advances in climate change adaptation and demands on water resources


Questions?
taryn.hutchins‐cabibi@state.co.us
303.866.3441 X3231
For more information, please go to
http://cwcb.state.co.us
Colorado Water Conservation Board 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 Denver, Colorado 80203
WaterWise 4 Spring 2011
Summer 2012

5. Children’s Water Festivals: Where Education
and Fun Collide
By Natalie Stevens, City of Greeley
Where is a place where you can pan for gold, paddle a canoe, get soaked in a
rainstorm, and shoot off water rockets? If you don’t know, here is another hint: it is
also a place where you can meet a water wizard, a mad scientist, and a firefighter.
You could have done all this and more at the Water Festival sponsored by the City
of Greeley, The Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, and the West Greeley
Conservation District.
Most of the Children’s Water Festivals in the state take place in May of each year.
Many cities and water districts organize, sponsor, and present at Children’s Water
Festivals. There are at least 10 water festivals in Colorado in all parts of the state from
the West Slope, South East, Metro Denver, and the North Front Range.
Organizing or presenting at a Water Festival is a great way to educate the youth on issue of water and conservation.
A water festival invites upper elementary (3-5) grade classes from area schools to participate. A Water Festival also
brings water professionals from around Colorado whoprovide presentations and activities about water, conservation,
human health, and aquatic life, while covering a wide range of curriculum areas including language arts, math,
science, social studies, visual art, and health. A goal of a Water Festival is to teach students about water and
empower them to take steps to conserve and protect water resources. “If you plan for one year, plant rice. If you plan
for 10 years, plant a tree. If you plan for 100 years, educate a child.” -Chinese Proverb
While the Water Festival season is over for the year, it is not too early to start thinking about next year.
WaterWise 5 Spring 2011
Summer 2012

6. Westminster Water Use Study provides
data for accurate projections
By Stu Feinglas, City of Westminster
In 2010, the City of Westminster received a Conservation Since 2000, an average of 67.7% of the ET water
Planning Grant from the Colorado Water Conservation requirement for turf grass was applied by single
Board to develop a state approved conservation plan. family homes in Westminster. Quantifying the
The City found a considerable amount of water use data savings from efficient irrigation versus the impact
available for the City’s residential sector, while little data from the economic recession remains to be seen.
was found on the customer side of the meter. This made Westminster must be careful when projecting these
calculating reliable savings projections problematic. The findings in the future, so as not to overestimate
City decided to fund a separate study of single family potential savings.
residential water use, including a customer survey sent to
1,000 customers, data logging, flow trace analysis, and GIS About 50% of customers were determined to have
property mapping. The City partnered with Aquacraft to all toilets used in the home flush at 1.6 gallons
perform the study. or less. The remainder had a mix of efficient and
higher volume toilets or only higher volume toilets
The initial customer survey achieved a 36% response rate, installed. About 27% of toilets used in Westminster
which was aided by a $5.00 credit issued for participants. were calculated to be high volume. Shower flow
Population density of 2.57 people per home tracked close rates were about 2.0 gallons per minute on average,
to the average for Colorado. Over 90% of customers well below 2.5 gallons per minute maximum in
irrigate regularly and 75% of those used an automatic fixture regulations. About 35% of customers had an
irrigation system. Over half of customers adjusted their average clothes washer load volume of 25 gallons
irrigation at least monthly, while rain sensors or weather- per washing machine load or less.
based irrigation controllers were not found in significant
quantities. However, the lack of efficient controller Westminster is finalizing its water conservation plan
technology does not mean that irrigation was not efficient. along with its comprehensive water supply plan at
this time. The ability to use data on customer use
Flow trace analysis and historic use data provided many along with actual fixture data will allow Westminster
useful findings, some of which are presented here. On to project realistic water demands and savings
average homes applied 85% of ET beginning in 2000, but potential enhancing both the conservation plan and
by 2010 this average percent of ET applied was reduced to the City’s plan for future buildout.
less than 60%.
WaterWise 6 Spring 2011
Summer 2012

7. interview
an interview with
Reagan
Waskom
By Ruth Quade, City of Greeley
Reagan Waskom currently serves as the Director of the Colorado Water Institute and as Director of the Colorado State
University Water Center. Dr. Waskom is a member of the Department of Soil & Crop Sciences faculty with a joint
appointment to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at CSU.
WW: Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m basically a very lucky guy. I live in a great place, get to work at a first class University with wonderful people,
and I work on an endlessly fascinating subject – water! When I’m not working for CSU I like to mess around in the
mountains.
WW: How did you get started in the water business?
My background is in agriculture and all of my degrees are Ag related. It’s hard to work in agriculture without getting
fixated on water. My first job out of college was as an Ag consultant on the High Plains and it was the irrigation
aspects that I found most interesting. After my MS degree I had the opportunity to work for 5 years on a US
Agency for International Development project focused on salinity and drought and got hooked. I got my PhD at CSU
and I’ve been at CSU for 26 years now working in different outreach and research roles all related to water. I’ve
been the director of the Colorado Water Institute since Robert Ward retired in December 2005. That reminds me of
something else I should mention: I’ve been very fortunate to have had a series of wonderful mentors in water like
Robert Ward, Dan Smith, Evan Vlachos, Lloyd Walker and others. I highly recommend young water professionals
find and cultivate mentors they can look up to and learn from.
WW: Regarding water resources and conservation, what do you feel are the biggest challenges facing
Colorado?
I’ll separate these two issues because I see them as somewhat distinct. Regarding water resources, the challenge is
living within the limits imposed by our climate, while our economy and population grows. If we do not figure out
how to live within these limits, the losers will be the environment and agriculture, which I think are the two greatest
assets we have in Colorado. Sure, this is partially about conservation, but it is also about growth and what we value
in this state. Water quality is a big part of this equation – as humans divert and discharge we degrade the aquatic
resources in Colorado. Nutrients, sediment, mercury, selenium and temperature concern me the most for Colorado,
but we’ll have to deal with emerging contaminants sooner or later.
Regarding conservation, as a state we still have lots we can do. Per capita water use values revealed by the SWSI
2010 study are all over the map – from several hundred gpcd to less than 100 gpcd. Statewide values are 172 gpcd,
which I think shows many Colorado communities can still tighten up their water use.
WaterWise 7 Spring 2011 2012
Summer 2011
Summer

8. Interview with Reagan Waskom
“Working with students here at CSU and seeing them progress in their careers has
been very rewarding. Seeing positive change occur in Colorado water management
and policy – both on the quality and quantity sides is very satisfying when it
happens.“
Changing behavior takes time, money and in some cases a generational change. Smoking is an interesting example of
how hard the human dimension is to change: despite decades of education, tax disincentives and regulations to reduce
smoking, more than 1,000 people per day in the US still die from cigarettes. Water conservation professionals have to
realize that their work is critically important and change in human behavior is often slow and incremental. How we
implement new land use development and redevelopment will also be a huge driver in future water needs.
While many in the water community do not agree with me, I believe that there is much we can do in the realm of
agricultural water conservation if the incentivizing mechanisms are put in place. The technology is there, but there is
little reason for farmers to make these investments. We talk about aging infrastructure all the time in the utility sector,
but actually the problem is much more acute on our irrigation ditches and delivery systems. The beauty of our current
gravity-fed ditch, reservoir and surface irrigation systems is that they have a very low carbon footprint. There will be a
tradeoff as we modernize.
WW: What regulatory measures do you think will have the biggest impact on water in Colorado?
In the short term, what I see looming largest in Colorado is the nutrient regulations and the persistent efforts to change
our state constitution in favor of the public trust doctrine. It is not clear if the two ballot initiatives for the public trust
doctrine will get the needed signatures to show up on this fall’s ballot, but eventually this is likely to get to a vote of the
people.
WW: What technologies do you think will have the biggest impact on water conservation in Colorado?
I’m excited about the potential for smart meters to give us real-time feedback on our water use and for families to dialog
about and understand their water use patterns. If the implementation of smart meters can be linked to effective public
education programs and rate structures, I believe we will really see the dial move on water conservation.
It looks like drought is looming this summer and if the 2012-2013 winter is a dry one, we will be back in the soup next
year. I think it is important to distinguish between drought response and conservation programs but I also think we can
use drought to educate and change behavior. It may be that the technologies water conservation professionals should
invest more time in are the communications and social networking developments to meet people, especially young
people, where they hang out and learn.
WW: What has given you the most satisfaction during your career?
Working with students here at CSU and seeing them progress in their careers has been very rewarding. Seeing positive
change occur in Colorado water management and policy – both on the quality and quantity sides is very satisfying when
it happens. I really like the people who work in water here in Colorado – I see many unsung heroes in our midst, working
very hard to manage and protect this resource. They are all above average! It is a great bunch of folks and I am lucky to
associate with them.
WW: Beyond work, what other interests do you have? Passions, goals, missions?
You mean we are supposed to do something besides work? Could you talk to my boss about that? When I’m not working
I love to swim, ski, fish, camp, hike – you know, stuff with water… I read a lot also.
WW: Any last thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
Yes, thanks for your work and passion for water conservation. The conservation community is critically important and I
admire your work. If folks see things we can or should be doing in higher education I would love to hear from you.
WaterWise 8 Spring 2011 2012
Summer 2011
Summer

9. Governor Hickenlooper
Proclaims July Smart
Irrigation Month
By Ruth Quade, City of Greeley
Colorado is the first state to proclaim July Smart Irrigation Month thanks to
an effort lead by CPS Distributers, Inc., an irrigation distributer with 11 branches
in Colorado and Wyoming.
The Irrigation Association first launched Smart Irrigation Month in 2005 and it is gaining traction as stakeholders
recognize the impact of efficient irrigation in July and year round. July is typically a peak month for water consumption
and warrants attention. Water treatment plants must be designed to handle peak production. By shaving peaks,
expensive treatment plant upgrades can be delayed or avoided.
The Smart Irrigation campaign is designed to:
• Educate homeowners, businesses, growers and other users about simple ways to save money and water.
• Encourage industry firms and professionals to promote smart irrigation practices and technologies to customers.
• Help water providers minimize peak water use and reduce demands on infrastructure in their communities.
• Reinforce the role efficient irrigation plays in providing real solutions to today’s water challenges.
The initiative is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the value
of water efficiency, water saving products, practices and services.
All industry professionals and companies are invited to participate.
This is also an opportunity for companies in the irrigation industry to
differentiate themselves and add value for customers by promoting
water-saving products, practices and services. Participants in Smart
Irrigation Month campaigns have proudly reported increased sales
and new customers.
Following the campaign, participants are invited to
submit their marketing materials by August 31, 2012, and
participate in the Smart Marketing contest. The contest is
free to IA members and for the first time to non-members
for a nominal fee. Marketing materials including a sample
proclamation for municipal water supplies are located at
http://www.smartirrigationmonth.org.
WaterWise 9 Spring 2011
Summer 2012

10. EPA WaterSense Update: More
products, more options, more savings.
By Frank Kinder, Colorado Springs Utilities
Most of us are familiar with WaterSense, a partnership program
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that seeks to protect
the future of our nation’s water supply by offering people a simple
way to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes,
and services.
WaterSense brings together a variety of stakeholders to:
• Promote the value of water efficiency.
• Provide consumers with easy ways to save water, as both a
label for products and an information resource to help
people use water more efficiently.
• Encourage innovation in manufacturing, services, and
industry capability.
• Decrease water use and reduce strain on water resources
and infrastructure.
The program seeks to help consumers and businesses make smart water choices that save money and maintain high
environmental standards without compromising performance. Products and services that have earned the WaterSense
label have been certified to be at least 20 percent more efficient without sacrificing performance. If one in every 10
homes in the United States were to install WaterSense labeled faucets or faucet accessories in their bathrooms, it could
save 6 billion gallons of water per year, and more than $50 million in the energy costs to supply, heat, and treat that
water. In Colorado and other water-scare states, these savings represent important components to Water Conservation
Plans, existing rebates, and efficiency messaging vital to our savings goals. Utilities, suppliers, retailers, and services are
joining to together to promote conservation that works for everyone.
WaterSense labeled products have been a popular way to retrofit existing facilities and impart water efficiency to new
construction. With the recent showerhead labeling and expanded new homes options, WaterSense is only becoming more
important to conservation strategies. Cultural perceptions around the performance of water-conserving products remains
an obstacle, as many industry professionals remain hesitant to use them, but product engineering and manufacturer
support has only strengthened the value of these products, and they are committed to their success, and the results are
overwhelmingly positive. Map-Testing.com provides insight to the breadth of options and improvement for WaterSense
products. Colorado WaterWise is a proud WaterSense partner, and its members welcome the collaboration it brings
to making water efficiency marketable and possible for the commercial and consumer markets. Colorado continues
embracing WaterSense as a sound method to save, and look forward to the evolution and expansion of water efficient
products, systems, and solutions from WaterSense. To learn more: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/index.html.
WaterWise 10 Spring 20112012
Summer

11. Plant Spotlight
Black Lace Elderberry
(Sambucas nigra ‘Gerda’)
By Ruth Quade, City of Greeley
Black Lace Elderberry is a large deciduous shrub that can also be pruned and shaped into a small tree. It grows
to a height and spread of 8-10 feet. It is very cold hardy (zones 3-8) and easily adapts to most sites. It likes
moist and well-drained soil but will tolerate dry soils after establishment. It can also adapt to either acidic or
alkaline soils. Foliage is pinnate, usually five leaflets with serrated edges making it an excellent hardy substitute
for a Japanese maple. Foliage starts out pale green with a hint of purple before turning dark purple. Black Lace
Elderberry will take part shade, but full sun is needed for best color. The Black Beauty can be used as an accent
plant or planted en masse as a hedge.
Butterflies love the clusters of pink flowers that softly fade to white as they age and are striking against the finely
cut, dark foliage. The June flowers have a lemony scent and are followed by dark purple fruit that is edible and
used for jams, pies or wine if the birds don’t get to them first.
In zones 5 or above prune in late summer or fall after blooming and fruiting. Its growth rate is moderate to fast.
If the plant is leggy as a young plant, it can be pruned, pinched and shaped to form a fuller shrub for the first
growing season. You will sacrifice the blooms in the first year, but it will result in a well branched, full bodied
plant that will have more flowers in subsequent years. Fertilize in early spring by applying a slow release fertilizer
formulated for trees and shrubs.
WaterWise 11 Spring 2011
Summer 2012

12. Book Review
The Big Thirst:
The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water
By Leslie Martien, Aquacraft
Whether you prefer facts and figures or a good story, Charles Fishman’s book
The Big Thirst, will appeal to a diverse readership. As an investigative reporter
Fishman researches the broad topic of our relationship to water and weaves
statistics into stories that most readers will find quite compelling. This well-
researched and thought provoking book presents facts and ideas that even the
most highly seasoned water expert is likely to find surprising.
Fishman uses these stories to help his reader understand the unique relationship
that humans have to water. Although water is an essential and life-giving
commodity, its perceived value is affected by the culture of the people who use
it. In the United States, where safe, clean, inexpensive water has been readily
available since the beginning of the 20th century, many people have never
experienced a failure in their water supply. We expect our water to be readily
available and cheap, yet we willingly spend nearly as much on bottled water each
year as we spend to maintain our entire water supply system during that same
time period!
Water is nearly as “invisible” as the air we breathe. Unfortunately this creates a complacency that has led to failing
infrastructure and severe water shortages in unexpected places like Atlanta, Georgia that added several million
people in the past twenty years without increasing its water supply.
One the other side of the globe the line from Coleridge’s poem, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, “water, water,
everywhere nor any drop to drink”, describes the nearly schizophrenic relationship with water that exists in India.
Rivers considered sacred are so fouled that a dropperful of water is enough to make six bathtubs of water unfit for
bathing. Scientist who were part of a team that discovered water on the moon have access to water only four and
a half hours a day. Much of this is due to a burgeoning population and infrastructure that has fallen into disrepair.
Intermittent supply is so common that many Indians have come to accept it as the norm.
Fishman’s research leads him to one of the most productive places on earth to grow rice which is, of all places,
Australia. And yet for the past 10 years the continent has been gripped by ever deepening drought known as “The
Big Dry” and the water for growing rice has nearly disappeared. Battles wage over who should get the remaining
water and who should make that decision and where new supplies should come from and who should be paid for it.
This is not a book about blame – after all the reasons for water shortages are as diverse as the countries in which
they exist. Nor is it a book of “one size fits all” solutions because the solutions appear to be as diverse as reasons for
the water shortages in the first place. It is however a cautionary note, meant to remind us that if we continue to take
water for granted the outcome may be disastrous. As such, it is a must-read for anyone who has ever puzzled over
humans’ complex and seemingly nonsensical relationship with water.
WaterWise 12 Spring 2011
Summer 2012

13. Conservation Programs at Northern Water:
What We’ve Done and What’s to Come
By Dana Strongin, Northern Water Water
Northern Water is in a unique position when it comes
to water conservation. As stewards of the Colorado-
Big Thompson and Windy Gap projects, we stand in
the middle between the water we transport and the
people who use it, without the standard to set policy
or offer initiatives. Yet – as we should – we have a
continuing interest in water conservation and a strong
desire to contribute when we can.
Northern Water’s conservation program history includes the 1981 creation of the Irrigation Management Service
(IMS), staffed with experts on water-efficient agricultural practices. IMS shifted to an urban landscaping focus in the
mid-1990s, and today the program offers more than 15 studies and visual demonstrations as well as training to help
professionals and homeowners learn how to create and maintain water-efficient lawns and gardens.
One intriguing study in Northern Water’s award-winning Conservation Gardens is investigating Xeriscape plants’
water use by using soil moisture sensors to track water use patterns of plant groups and other data intended to guide
the development of irrigation recommendations. Staff designed other
studies to provide insights on new irrigation technologies, such as
controllers that run sprinklers based on soil moisture or weather data.
“One idea we Northern Water is in its 75th year, and employees – particularly
members of the multi-departmental Conservation Team – have been
have is to help discussing the future of the organization’s conservation programs.
ensure a viable With this in mind, Northern Water commissioned Aquacraft in 2010
future for the to conduct a detailed survey of district municipalities to ask what the
cities’ existing conservation programs were and what kind of assistance
Value of Water they would like from Northern Water.
campaign” The top requests from the responding agencies included:
1. Assistance to improve or enhance water conservation
measurement methods
2. Assistance with communicating the value of water
3. Improving public education and awareness
4. Assistance with technical information on climate and forecasting
5. Assistance with improving water conservation methods
WaterWise 13 Spring 2011
Summer 2012

14. This list is a tall order and if implemented, would likely result in more initiatives than Northern Water’s resources can
provide. Also, some of these projects may be logical pursuits for other organizations.
One idea is to help ensure a viable future for the Value of Water campaign. The campaign was derived to carry on after
2012, Colorado’s Year of Water. The yearlong celebration (www.water2012.org) has brought an impressive contingent
of Colorado professionals together in an effort to educate residents about water.
The Value of Water campaign is intended to ride on Water 2012’s momentum with a broad message Northern
Water sees as crucial: Water is truly a valuable resource. With that in mind, Northern Water’s Conservation Team is
discussing potential options to help Colorado WaterWise carry on the campaign.
The Value of Water campaign and continued landscaping studies are just two ideas we at Northern Water have for
future programming, but we’d like to hear input from our water users. If you have suggestions or ideas for our
conservation programs, contact Esther Vincent at evincent@ncwcd.org.
Rocky Mountain Section of American Water Works
Association (RMSAWWA): Conservation Committee
Update
By: Jeannine Shaw: Conservation Committee Chair and Awards: The Rocky Mountain
Conservation Specialist at Denver Water Section of AWWA (which
Conservation Certificate Program: Over the past year and a half, the RMSAWWA includes, Colorado, New Mexico
Conservation Committee has explored options to facilitate and offer a Water and Wyoming) is currently
Conservation Certificate Program in our Section. After an initial review of available seeking nominations for the Alice
programs, the committee decided to pursue using program materials developed by Darilek Water Conservation
the Pacific Northwest Section of AWWA (PNWSAWWA), with the idea that we Award, which recognizes an
would need to tailor about 20% of the material to address our Section’s regional outstanding contributor to the
specific needs. Over a period of about 10 months, the two Sections did a joint review water conservation field within
the Rocky Mountain Section
of the materials. A draft user-agreement that both committees had agreed upon was
of AWWA. The Section is also
in place at the beginning of the review. However, when it came time to formalize the
seeking applications for the
User-Agreement, new issues surrounding the long-term ownership and flexibility of
$2,000 Warner Scholarship,
updating the program content emerged.
which is given annually to
encourage young professionals to
As a result, both groups recognized the need to take a step back and re-evaluate seek higher education in a
the current needs and priorities of our corresponding AWWA Sections. To this water-related field.
end, RMSAWWA Conservation Committee will be working to deliver a survey
later this year to gather information on the most pressing needs for professionals. Applications/Nominations are
With this information, the committee can better direct its efforts at education and due no later than June 15th.
training opportunities of most value to those throughout the region. At this time, the Instructions on how to submit
RMSAWWA Conservation Committee will no longer be pursuing the materials from are on the RMSAWWA website
the other Section. While in some ways this may seem unfortunate, it was actually a (www.rmsawwa.net/awards_
great exercise for both Sections to go through, as it allowed everyone to gain new committee.htm). Winners are
perspective on the work that lay ahead of us. Both groups have come out of this honored at the RMSAWWA
with a lot of respect for one another, as well as respect for what we, as conservation Annual Conference that will take
professionals, are striving for. We haven’t given up on getting a conservation place September 9-12, 2012 at
certificate program in our Section, so stay tuned! Copper Mountain.
WaterWise 14 Spring 2011
Summer 2012

15. update
Conservation News
Updates
By Laurie D’Audney, Fort Collins Utilities
Alliance for • AWE has had funding cuts Documentary Films
Water Efficiency and needs our help. If you value about Water
the information, research and
(www.a4we.org) • Last Call at the Oasis’s theme is
advocacy AWE provides, consider
• AWE released a draft report, offering financial support by that the global water crisis will be
The Water Efficiency and becoming a member and/or the central issue facing our world
Conservation State Scorecard: An making a donation. Their goal is this century. It exposes defects
Assessment of Laws and Policies to raise $300,000 by the end of the in our current system, shows
based on a survey of state level year. communities struggling with its ill-
water efficiency and conservation effects and highlights individuals
policies and laws throughout the Plant Select® championing revolutionary
50 states. The survey included laws (www.plantselect.org) solutions. (www.lastcallattheoasis.
and policies regarding plumbing com)
fixture standards, water loss • Plant Select is having a photo
control, conservation planning and contest. Submit images of your • Watershed–Exploring a New
program implementation, water favorite Plant Select combinations, Water Ethic for the West, is
rates, funding sources, technical xeriscapes or individual plants. narrated by Robert Redford
assistance and more. Overall, the Photos must contain at least one and produced by his son James.
50 states averaged a “C” grade. Plant Select plant. Deadline is It focuses on the plight of the
Colorado was awarded a “B-”. A August 15. Check the website for Colorado River system. It touches
public comment period is open more details. on the history of the Colorado
until June 15. Download the report watershed and what may happen
at www.allianceforwaterefficiency. U.S. EPA WaterSense in the future if policies are not
org/drft-scorecard.aspx. (www.epa.gov/watersense)
changed. (http://jamesredford.com/
• The first smart controller has all-films/producing-current-films/
• AWE is selling copies of Amy
Vicker’s Handbook of Water Use earned a WaterSense label. To earn
& Conservation for $65. This is a the label, controllers must be able Irrigation Association
great deal on the bible for water to adequately meet the watering (www.irrigation.org)
conservation. needs of a landscape without
• It’s not too early to start thinking
overwatering.
about Smart Irrigation Month
• Nominations are being accepted coming up in July, a campaign
for Exemplary Water-Energy • EPA has launched a Climate
dedicated to increasing public
Efficiency Program awards for Change and Water Resources
awareness of the value of water
programs that save both water website at http://water.epa.gov/
use efficiency, water-saving
and energy. Nominations are due scitech/climatechange.
products, practices and services.
by July 13. Check the website for
details.
WaterWise 15 Spring 2011 2012
Summer