Colorado Springs Utilities
Duration: 1 minute
Published on September 7, 2021
We partnered with a local HOA, the Carriages at Parliament Place, to help reduce its water usage significantly, leading to lasting savings and a more dependable irrigation system.
The Carriages at Parliament Place is a community of 64 townhomes located on approximately 3.5 irrigated acres in the Briargate neighborhood of northeast Colorado Springs. Like many established communities, the community used an irrigation system that was nearly 20 years old and prone to costly repairs.
In 2020, it asked us to take a closer look at how its irrigation system was performing and where improvements could be made. Our water conservation specialists performed an outdoor irrigation audit, which identified opportunities to improve efficiency while still maintaining a healthy, attractive landscape.
From evaluation to action
Following the audit, the organization implemented recommended scheduling changes and took advantage of our Irrigation Equipment Rebate Program. These steps helped the HOA modernize its system and reduce water use while keeping the landscape healthy.
In 2021, the Carriages at Parliament Place upgraded key irrigation components, including:
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184 irrigation heads
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339 high‑efficiency nozzles
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A flow sensor
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A smart irrigation controller
To stretch its budget even further, the HOA formed a volunteer group to handle simple nozzle replacements. This allowed professional contractors to focus on more complex repairs and system upgrades, which saved money. Those savings were then reinvested into larger irrigation improvements.
It also improved internal business processes by identifying rebate‑eligible equipment for contractors and streamlining invoicing. These changes made rebate applications simpler and faster, saving time for both the HOA and contractors.
A long‑term commitment to efficiency
Rather than treating these upgrades as a one‑time project, the HOA developed an action plan to guide continued investment in irrigation and watering efficiency. This long‑term approach ensures the system will continue to improve over time while avoiding the cycle of repeated emergency repairs.
Measurable water savings
The results were clear:
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Average daily irrigation use dropped by 18%.
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Total outdoor water use decreased by 25%.
“By focusing on nozzle replacements and major repairs, our HOA had a 30 percent water savings when we compared the total water usage between 2020 and 2021.” - Carriage at Parliament Place board member
A model for other HOAs
The Carriages at Parliament Place showed how irrigation audits, targeted upgrades and rebates can help HOAs reduce water use, control costs and improve the reliability of its irrigation system.