Newsletters June 2010
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DONALA WATER & SANITATION DISTRICT
Rationing Program Started May 31st and Runs Through September 6th
As announced in last month’s newsletter, the irrigation-rationing program is in full swing. If you have doubts as to when you can water, check out the District website at www.donalawater.org and click the “Water Rationing” button, or call us at 488-3603.
ELECTION RESULTS The Donala Election for Directors and Tabor issues was very successful. First of all, a big thanks to all who voted – an extraordinary 33%. The Tabor questions both passed by a considerable margin. A separate newsletter will be sent out, entitled “The Election Is Over, Now What?” The “now what” depends a lot on the City of Colorado Springs and their endeavor (or not) to become a regional partner in water projects. It also depends on the status and forecast of a couple of water projects that we are working. Watch for the special newsletter for an update. New Directors elected to the Board were Bill Nance and David Powell. Tim Murphy was also returned for a second term. Our thanks to Gene Pfeffer and Warren Gerig for their candidacy. Two seats on the Board will be up for election in 2012. Thanks again to all who voted, those who ran for office, and especially to Ed Houle and the citizens volunteer “Water for the Future Committee”. Their hard work in getting the word out made it all happen.
BOARD OFFICERS At their May 20th meeting the new Directors were sworn in and election for officers was held.
Tim Murphy President Bill George Vice-President Dale Schendzielos Sec/Treasurer Bill Nance Dave Powell The Board also voted to change their meeting date and time normally to the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. June 24 (4th Thursday) July 15 August 19 September 16 October 21 November 30 (5th Tuesday)
IRRIGATION PRACTICES vs. WATER BILLS Last month’s newsletter discussed the “sticker shock” many of us get when we get our first summer time water bill, and the article had some ideas about how to determine how much water your system uses. Here is our annual list of tips to keep from watering the street, or the neighbor’s lawn or watering during the heat of the day outside the prescribed hours. When you crank up your system each year, I highly recommend checking it out. Cycle through all the zones and be sure the heads are pointed where you want them. It might be a good idea to have a professional come and check it out for you, at least every couple of years or so. An article in the “Denver Post” a couple of years ago outlined a few hints for knowing when and how much to water, as well as some general lawn maintenance tips. First, off, if you haven’t already, consider having your lawn aerated. It allows air, fertilizer and water to get to the roots and loosens packed ground. Secondly, lawns do best when fertilized in the spring and fall. Using the slow release pellets and the type of spreader recommended by the fertilizer maker provides the best results. Don’t cut your grass shorter than 3-4 inches and cut it often to keep it near that length. That allows water to get down to the roots and yet not burn off before doing any good. Lawns should be watered about ½ inch at a time. How often depends on when the last time it rained or was watered. One method of telling when to water is to stick a screwdriver in the lawn. If the dampness you feel on the blade is deep enough to get to the roots you’re doing OK. I don’t know about you, but when I feel a steel screwdriver tip it is usually cold and not easily discernable as wet. So the method I use is the footprint. If when you walk on the lawn your footprint stays there, you need to water. If the grass bounces right back up, you’re probably OK. A rather unique method is the tuna can measurement. Place an empty tuna can (even 5 or 6) around your lawn. Half a can of water twice a week in the early season is enough. Increase to ¾ of a can in June, July, and August. A basic rain gauge will obviously work as well. However, if you don’t have one, and you like tuna salad, it’s a good excuse to open a few cans. A word of warning though – wash the cans thoroughly first or you may have to adopt the neighborhood cats. The bottom line is your lawn can get by with a lot less water than you might think if you keep up with it in your prescribed days and hours. However, if you neglect it and then try to bring it back later, you will end up using a lot more water.
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