Conservation
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Beautiful landscapes can be achieved while conserving water, as illustrated in this xeriscaped garden.
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Community Challenge
The Season to Save Community Challenge enlists non-profit organizations to promote water conservation awareness in the community. The Challenge encourages non-profit members to team up, conserve water, and earn funds to support their specific projects.
Funding for projects are earned two ways. Non-profit entities can sign up members to replace their old toilets with newer model “low-flow” toilets, earning $25 for each member. Additional project money can also be earned when these groups meet their own water use reduction goals.
In 2003, 40 non-profit organizations (about 3,000 families) partnered with SAWS to achieve their conservation goals. The result of this cooperative effort was that 4,000 inefficient toilets were exchanged for low-flow models saving more than 25 million gallons of water in five months, while earning fundraising groups approximately $100,000. Additionally, this initiative projects a 10-year water savings of about 371 million gallons.
Golf For SA
SAWS bridged an ecological gap between golfers and non-golfers by launching Golf Fore SA in 2003. The program aims to develop a community collaboration between recreational and conservation groups by using area golf courses to establish positive environmental examples for the region.
In addition to SAWS Conservation and Resource Protection Departments, other program partners include golf course professionals, community representatives and SAWS’ Community Conservation Committee members. Gold Fore SA focuses on:
- Water conservation
- Water quality
- Wildlife and open space
- Community outreach
To date, 12 golf courses (both municipal and private) have committed to the program, and the potential for water savings is significant. Courses that are currently using the industry standard of two acre-feet, per acre/per year will reduce water use by 15 percent to 40 percent accomplishing an annual savings of 9-23 million gallons a year.
WaterSaver Landscape Rebate
The WaterSaver Landscape rebate program was recently modified to help conservation-minded homeowners save even more water. Similar to the programs of other cities with hot, dry climates, our rebate program requires:
- Irrigation inspection
- Zoned irrigation
- Under 50% turf using no St. Augustine grass
- At least 4 inches of soil under grass
- Less than 5% of landscape for high water use (vegetable or flower gardens)
SAWS Community Conservation Committee, as well as green industry professionals, suggested changes to the program. The expected result is that water savings per qualified homeowner will increase significantly. Evaluations of the program will continue and modifications made as conditions warrant.
Next: Environment
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