When should you start watering?

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, Castle Rock on average has freezing weather until May 13, and experts at CSU Extension even tout May 22. (We forget each year until it happens!) This means irrigation systems that are turned on, and newly planted plants and lawns that are being watered this month, could get damaged by freezing temps. The every-third-day watering schedules are in effect beginning May 1 to allow us to get our landscapes spruced up, but also to remind customers that you don’t need to water every day. With short daylight hours, cool nights and the sun still low in the sky, the water in the soil evaporates more slowly than it does in the summer. So, while your grass begins to come out of dormancy, it still has moisture sustaining its root system. It may be tempting to start up the irrigation system, when the grass begins to turn green, but our experts advise holding off just a bit longer.

But, when is the right time? CRconserve.com has got the answers. Use the Run-Time Calculator to estimate how much water your landscape needs based on weather conditions, plant type and sprinkler nozzles. But, keep in mind, this is just an estimate. Shade or sun exposure, slope, and soil conditions affect if you need to water more or less. Listen to your plants and remember that overwatering weakens plant health, too. And, if you want to talk to an expert to get more details, enroll in a Water Wiser workshop.

Salute to Las Vegas!

Las Vegas may become the first community to ban ornamental grass! Las Vegas is considering removing all “nonfunctional turf” – that’s the grass that no one ever walks on. Officials are estimating a 15% saving in annual water consumption.

Castle Rock Water clearly understands the benefits of this concept and we, too have also begun putting some nonfunctional turf restrictions in place. Castle Rock no longer allows developers to put in Kentucky Bluegrass and instead lawns must be a drought resistant variety. This applies to commercial areas, as well as residential homes. Grass can no longer be placed in medians and only no- or low-water options can be used. None of these landscape requirements apply to individual residential properties. However, Castle Rock Water provides rebates to any customer to incentivize the removal of nonfunctional, high-water-use turf and replacement with a more vibrant but low-water option. Viva the Rock!

Castle Rock Water is more than water

Anticipating the flow of rain and snow through the streets, neighborhoods and building sites is no easy task - especially when it doesn’t follow ‘the plan.’ And that’s where Brian Laschanzky, Stormwater Inspector, comes in. Brian is in one of those Town-marked vehicles roaming the neighborhoods looking for trouble. Trouble in the form of dirt, debris and muck that is not being properly managed on construction sites. The silt fences, inlet protection and sediment control logs (wattles) are some standard measures to keep our stormwater channels clean and safe. The inspection doesn’t stop there and grading and swales must be properly aligned into channels and detention ponds, as well as revegetation measures installed. Brian will be checking upwards of 60 projects from the moving of dirt for a new neighborhood, to the installation of an inlet along a street, to monitoring of native plants growing in a natural watershed channel. Glad to be out in the field, Brian loves finding solutions to how the ever unpredictable flow of water can be controlled for the safety of the community and the watershed and being entrusted as a steward for of our precious water resources.

How do you ensure there is enough water for a population of 150,000? Diversify.

The numbers aren’t in and Castle Rock Water does not know if we will ever actually reach 150,000 in population--but we are planning for it. Forecast models also plan for 100,000, if we stay at our current 73,000, and if we encounter several other scenarios.

The answer to sufficient water supply is not simply restricting growth. Even if we did not add more families, the community would still need additional water supplies. The underground aquifers which are a primary water supply for all South Metro communities are slowly being depleted. It takes lifetimes to replenish this source. Additionally, Colorado historically goes through periods of drought which affect aquifer regeneration and demand.

Conservation won’t solve the supply needs, but it definitely helps. Conservation is considered a water source since the less we use now, the less we have to purchase in the future. Using less water reduces the impact on our sources and also influences our long-term water usage patterns.

In 2006, Castle Rock Water found the answer for a more sustainable water future - or rather the answers. Have more reservoirs, use the water from the nearby surface sources, incentivize conservation, import water from areas of surplus, and reuse the water we already have. We began planning for the “all of the above” strategy.

By not being reliant upon a single water supply, the community's water supply is more resilient and more sustainable now and in the future. When drought reduces surface water and imported water, we can go to our reuse water or stored water. In times of plenty, we can recharge our underground aquifers and import more. Reuse water is a great supply as it is not conditional to drought or growth.

As of 2021, Castle Rock has made accomplishments toward each of these steps. Our water supply is strong. However, the planning, projects and partnerships are not complete. New sources, new partnerships and increased efficiencies will continue to be established to keep a strong water future.

Customers can learn more at CRgov.com/Long-Term Water or attend a monthly Water Commission meeting.

Have a question about water?
Email us and we'd be happy to get you in the know about H2O!