City of Concord Expands Permanent Water Conservation Efforts – Adopts Permanent Schedule Restricting Days of Irrigation
During this decade, the City of Concord has emerged as a leader in water conservation in the state of North Carolina. Concord has been out-front in working with its citizens on water conservation not only during periods of drought, but also during periods of normal rainfall. For example, Concord adopted an aggressive residential tiered rate system over eight years ago where the cost of water increases as monthly use significantly increases. This system is in place permanently in order to help protect this vital natural resource.
To prepare for dry periods, Concord residents have made water conservation a way of life all year. Most Concord utility customers understand that irrigation is the single largest contributor to peak water use during the warmer months. Dr. Garry Grabow, assistant professor and N.C. Cooperative Extension specialist at North Carolina State University, highlights this impact stating that "Outdoor water use can range from over half of total household water use during peak use months - June, July and August - to nil during the winter months…” He also found that some jurisdictions in the Triangle region of North Carolina experienced over 50 percent of total water use used for irrigation for single-family homes with an irrigation meter during the warmer months.
At their August 13, 2009 meeting, the Concord City Council extended this leadership role to join a few other North Carolina municipalities in permanently restricting irrigation to specified days of the week even during normal rainfall conditions in case dry conditions surface later in the year. The change amends the water management ordinance to make permanent the current lawn irrigation schedule allowing watering only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday of each week. Of course, this ordinance continues to provide for the adoption of higher level restrictions should the area experience extensive periods of low rainfall leading to drought conditions.
We would also like to remind users that Concord has three water rate tiers designed so customers pay more per 1000 gallons if they reach these higher thresholds during the month. This also promotes conservation. The first tier covers all use up to 6000 gallons per month (GPM). The second tier is for usage from 6000 GPM to 8999 GPM. The third tier covers all usage above 9000 GPM. Customers can avoid paying these higher rates by always keeping their monthly use below 6000 GPM.
While these changes promote conservation by area residents and businesses, it does not mean that vegetation has to suffer if residents and businesses follow smart water use conservation techniques.
How can you have healthy vegetation while conserving water?
- Continue to conserve water by following the ordinance regulating irrigation.
- Keep grass 3-5 inches long. Grass this length requires less water and mowing.
- Water for irrigation in the early morning or late evening hours when grass withers.
- Make sure your irrigation system is properly set up and maintained. One big water waster is having poorly adjusted spray patterns, so pay attention to where the water is going. It is easy for the alignment of sprinklers to shift over time, or get knocked off target - check them at least once a year.
- Over-watering is one of the worst water wasters, watch for runoff. This is an indication that you are water too much.
- Aerate your lawn yearly. It prevents soil compaction and greatly reduces run-off from the lawn.
- When you do water, water deeply. Many people water lightly and frequently. This does more harm than good because it creates a shallow root system. Water deeply and infrequently to produce a healthier and deeper root system that is better equipped to withstand heat and drought.
- Prepare your soil!Add organic matter such as compost to clay soil to improve soil structure and enable plants to develop dense root systems. Amending clay soil will increase the health and drought tolerance of turf and plants.
- Use efficient sprinklers. To reduce evaporation and to maximize watering efficiency, use sprinklers that throw large drops of water close to the ground as opposed to fine mists in the air. Throw out that old oscillating sprinkler and replace it with a rotary, impact, or turbine sprinkler.
For additional information about water conservation, please call our Water Resource Department at 704-920-5337 or 704-920-5342 and the City of Concord website at www.ci.concord.nc.us/Departments/WaterResources
