Take advantage of the end of season opportunities

As we wind down the irrigation season, be sure to take advantage of the classes and rebates Castle Rock Water has to offer.

Sept. 22 Winterization class - Healthier plants are more water efficient and this class provides the best practices to help your yard survive through the winter and flourish next spring. Register
Oct. 5 Water Wiser workshop - As we shut down our irrigation systems, now is a good time to start planning for upgrades and better maintenance. Register
Replace that toilet with an ultra-high efficiency one, using only 0.8 gallons per flush ($100 rebate) and add a home water monitoring system (50% rebate). Rebates are available through Dec. 31. Details and forms
Customers have until the end of the month to get their ColoradoScape turf replacement rebate in ($1.10 per square foot). Details and forms

How to check your meter for a leak

Household leaks account for as much as one trillion gallons of water wasted annually in the U.S. A leak of just 1/16 inch can lose 822 gallons per day. The water meter is a resourceful tool to find leaks in a home. The water meter is usually located in the basement or crawlspace on the wall facing the street. For some homes, the water meter is in a pit in the front yard and should not be accessed. Customers with meter pits can call Castle Rock Water to schedule a flow detection appointment.

Find how-to videos and tips at CRconserve.com/CheckingForLeaks.

To check for a potential leak, turn off water inside and outside the home, and ensure appliances are not in use. Look at your meter. If there is movement (numbers, red dial or black triangle), there is unaccounted water flowing through the meter indicating a potential leak. Turn the irrigation valve off. If there is still movement, the possible leak is within the home. If the leak is inside the home, you can conduct a similar test by turning off the water valve at each faucet or appliance and observing if there is movement within the water meter. Leaks in the irrigation system can be tricky to find and a professional landscaper may be required.

The usual culprit for an indoor leak is the toilet. An undetected toilet leak could waste as much as 5 gallons of water per minute! To check for a faulty flapper, place a dye tab (available at Castle Rock Water) or a couple drops of food coloring in the tank. Wait 15 to 30 minutes. If colored water appears in the bowl, the flapper should be replaced. Flush the toilet until the colored water disappears to prevent possible staining.

The force is strong with this one!

Social media has chosen the winner for the new front yard ColoradoScape makeover. The Tracewell family, with their Star Wars themed video entry, received the most votes for their creative message about how their yard sucks....water, that is. Tearing out that water-guzzling lawn is a high priority to reduce water use and maintenance. Their wish is to add colorful plants that grow easily and without much care in Castle Rock's semi-arid, high-desert environment. Blue Spruce, Goldenrain Tree, Walker's Low Catmint and Red Rocks Penstemon are on their wish list. Expect the finished ColoradoScape next month!

Go plant a tree

With cooler temperatures, September is a great time to plant a tree. Trees add architectural depth to your landscape design, shade your home for energy efficiency, reduce irrigation needs, and add value to your home.

Call 811 to locate any underground utilities prior to digging.
Consider the size of the tree as it grows and look at future obstructions such as irrigation, fencing, the house, powerlines, etc.
Dig a shallow, saucer-shaped hole 3 times the width of the root ball. Score the sides of the hole as our clay soils can essentially become a ceramic bowl around the root ball.
Remove the containers, cut away the entire wire basket and remove the burlap.
Place the tree. The proper height is with the trunk flare slightly exposed. Take a step back to ensure the tree is straight.
Fill the hole with enriched soil and pack gently.
Add mulch to top off the soil, but keep the mulch six inches away from the trunk to prevent bark problems.
Loosely stake the tree for one year, if needed.
Apply tree wrap to young trees or those with thin bark each winter to prevent sunscald and frost cracks.
Water as nursery guidelines prescribe. During drier winters, winter watering may be needed.