Academy to implement watering restrictions

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Mandatory watering restrictions established by Colorado Springs Utilities were implemented across the base April 1, limiting watering times for all Academy residents and commercial customers.

According to a CSU press release, the Colorado Springs City Council approved moving to Stage II of the city's water shortage ordinance, which implements mandatory watering restrictions for the community in order to preserve reservoir storage at safe levels.

CSU's goal is to use 30 percent less water this irrigation season, April - October, compared to the 2012 irrigation season. This equates to 30 gallons saved per day per person. The implementation will ensure a one-year supply of water, a critical safety and health requirement. Water providers in the Denver area and elsewhere along the Front Range have enacted similar restrictions.

For the Academy, these Stage II provisions allow residential customers in family housing with odd-numbered addresses to water on Tuesdays and Saturdays; those with even-numbered addresses will be allowed to water on Sundays and Wednesdays. The remaining areas on base will be allowed to water Mondays and Fridays.

Academy housing residents and CSU customers may not water between the hours of 10am and 6pm from May 1 - Oct. 1. On the designated days, Academy members may water for a maximum of three hours. Drip irrigation systems and handheld hose watering for trees, shrubs, and plants will be allowed at any time.

CSU takes conservation seriously, as does the Academy. Price adjustments will be enacted to encourage smart usage. Violators will first receive a warning, followed by incrementally increasing fees up to $1,000 and potential service shutoff.

Our potable water supply originates from CSU; some of the Academy's irrigation water consists of non-potable water, a mix of well water and treated effluent from the wastewater treatment plant. The wastewater is subject to the Stage II restriction as well. Non-potable water is primarily used to irrigate the cadet athletic fields, Stillman Parade Field, the Academy Cemetery, road medians and the golf course.

As good stewards of the environment, the Academy will respect the restrictions enacted upon the community and treat all non-potable water under their control in the same manner as potable water.

The 10th Civil Engineer Squadron is actively reducing demands on our irrigation system. A portion of Stadium Boulevard from the B-52 drive to Parade Loop is slated for a xeriscaping project. Additionally, other areas of the base have been and will be replaced with water-conserving native grasses.

Academy residents and visitors can expect to enjoy reduced water bills by using less irrigation. As the summer heat turns up, our large expanses of turfed areas and residential lawns may show some browning. This will put some of our grass into a dormancy stage but should not kill it. CSU indicates that, as a general rule, the Academy can maintain a healthy landscape with these mandatory watering times.

For more information, visit www.csu.org or call 333-3465.