Thinking ahead

Thinking ahead 

• Budget for future rate increases.
  • Water rates are expected to increase annually for several years.
    • Colorado Springs City Council has approved a plan that forecasts water rates increases of 10-12% annually through 2017, then around 4% annually through 2019.
  • Include projected water rate increases into future budgets.
    • Even though City Council must approve the water rate increases each year, consider such increases when developing the association’s annual budget. Even if the association’s water use stays the same, the cost of the water will increase over time. In the future, it will cost more to maintain the same landscape.  
  • Save money over the long-term by budgeting for a landscape conversion.
    • While short-term strategies can help save water immediately, long-term savings will result from converting the landscape to one that requires less water.
    • Consider budgeting for a landscape conversion to help offset the increasing cost of water. 

• Start planning a landscape conversion.
  • Investigate water-saving landscape options.
    • There are many options for water-saving landscapes. Traditional lawn areas can be converted to alternative turf, native grass, shrub and flower beds, naturalized tree areas, etc. Investigate the costs and benefits of different options in order to begin developing a plan for the property.
  • Consider working with a landscape professional to evaluate the property.
    • Landscape architects and landscape designers can help evaluate the existing landscape as well as develop a conversion plan. Some architects and designers are willing to work as a consultant, with the residents or property managers doing some of the work, while others prefer to provide a complete evaluation and design. Ask about their experience in designing water-saving landscapes. They should be able to provide information about future water savings of their design.
  • Identify landscape areas that would result in the greatest savings.
    • When prioritizing areas for conversion, begin with the areas that could result in the biggest savings or have the biggest aesthetic impact. This may be areas that have the highest historical water use. Or, improving landscape appearance in high visibility or high use areas may be a top priority. Start identifying areas where the turf grass could be replaced with a water-saving option with little impact. Such areas are generally steep slopes, narrow strips along the sides of buildings, narrow strips between sidewalks and curbs, and lawn areas that are infrequently used.
  • Follow guidelines for smart changes that will result in the greatest savings. Things to aim for include: 
    • Save the trees, they have the greatest value.
    • Minimize wood mulch replacement in planting beds by utilizing 75% ground plane plant coverage.
    • Maximize your coverage by utilizing different shrub sizes and forms.
    • Utilize perennials, ornamental grasses and ground covers to compliment and fill in around the large plant material.
    • Do not replace turf areas with unplanted broadcast rock mulch.
    • Design usable and practical turf areas.
    • Design and maintain an efficient irrigation system, utilizing drip irrigation as much as possible for planting beds.