SEASONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAM SEASONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAM FOR HOMEOWNERS ON AN URBAN FOR HOMEOWNERS ON AN URBAN

ISLANDISLAND

JERRY WARRENJERRY WARRENTEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSIONTEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

BEXAR COUNTYBEXAR COUNTY SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Where our water comes from?Where our water comes from? Is a unique groundwater system and one of the most prolific artesian Is a unique groundwater system and one of the most prolific artesian

aquifer in the world. aquifer in the world. 

It is one of the greatest natural resources on Earth.It is one of the greatest natural resources on Earth.

Serves the diverse agricultural, industrial, recreational, and domestic needs Serves the diverse agricultural, industrial, recreational, and domestic needs of almost two million users in south central Texas. of almost two million users in south central Texas. 

Edward AquiferEdward Aquifer Primary source of waterPrimary source of water Stretches over 8,000 sq. Stretches over 8,000 sq.

miles, only 500 feet miles, only 500 feet below the surfacebelow the surface

In 1920, usage was about In 1920, usage was about 22 millions gallons of 22 millions gallons of water per day. water per day.

In 2004, 154 millions of In 2004, 154 millions of gallons of water are gallons of water are pumped each day.pumped each day.

In 2006, about same as In 2006, about same as 04.04.

Major Water Providers Major Water Providers

SAWS: obtains “Ground SAWS: obtains “Ground water” from the Edwards water” from the Edwards Aquifer and Trinity Aquifer. Aquifer and Trinity Aquifer. Last year- surface water Last year- surface water from Canyon Lake.from Canyon Lake.

BexarMet: obtains “Surface BexarMet: obtains “Surface water” from the Medina water” from the Medina River, making it the first River, making it the first facility in San Antonio area facility in San Antonio area to treat surface waterto treat surface water

HistoryHistory

BexarMet has provided water to about BexarMet has provided water to about 250,000 residents of San Antonio, since 250,000 residents of San Antonio, since 19991999

SAWS has provided water to about SAWS has provided water to about 400,000 residents of San Antonio, since 400,000 residents of San Antonio, since 19351935

San AntonioSan Antonio

Economy depends on Water

San Antonio has many tourist attractions and a growing population

By Yr. 2035, Tx will have only 85% of water needed

San Antonio’s GrowthSan Antonio’s Growth

Industry/Business & Industry/Business & householdshouseholds

Population GrowthPopulation Growth– 1990-2000 S.A. had 1990-2000 S.A. had

20% growth to 1.2 m20% growth to 1.2 m– Reach 2 m by end of Reach 2 m by end of

decadedecade Growing demand for Growing demand for

waterwater

Indoor Water UseIndoor Water Use

Homeowner use 75% of their water indoors & 25% on lawns & gardens

Bexar County- Most Identified Critical Bexar County- Most Identified Critical Issues at Tx Community Future Issues at Tx Community Future

ForumForum Extension conducts a TCFF in each county every Extension conducts a TCFF in each county every

3-5 yrs3-5 yrs

Invite key individuals to identify & prioritize Invite key individuals to identify & prioritize issues and concerns for countyissues and concerns for county

Bexar County’s No. 1 issue Bexar County’s No. 1 issue – Water Quality/Quantity/Conservation and AccessWater Quality/Quantity/Conservation and Access

Bexar County must develop a water Bexar County must develop a water conservation plan to address this issueconservation plan to address this issue

WATER CONSERVATION PLANWATER CONSERVATION PLAN

Cooperative effort between Texas Cooperative Cooperative effort between Texas Cooperative Extension & San Antonio Water System (SAWS)Extension & San Antonio Water System (SAWS)

Initial study started about 10 years ago-selected Initial study started about 10 years ago-selected 65 homeowners to be involved in first trial.65 homeowners to be involved in first trial.

Data used to make recommendations Data used to make recommendations – use changing “variables” for amount of -use changing “variables” for amount of -

water to be applied vs. set amount and “variable” water to be applied vs. set amount and “variable” daysdays

– 100% ET replacement used as appropriate protocol100% ET replacement used as appropriate protocol

CONTRACT WITH S.A.W.S.CONTRACT WITH S.A.W.S.

Texas Cooperative Extension-Bexar County and Texas Cooperative Extension-Bexar County and San Antonio Water System:San Antonio Water System:

– TCE will make lawn watering recommendations to TCE will make lawn watering recommendations to homeowners-daily from March 1homeowners-daily from March 1stst thru Oct. 31 thru Oct. 31stst. . Monthly Nov. thru Feb.Monthly Nov. thru Feb.

– Automated e-mail & phone message (6500+ Automated e-mail & phone message (6500+ homeowners)homeowners)

– SIP Hotline – manned by Master GardenersSIP Hotline – manned by Master Gardeners– San Antonio Express News- Saturday EditionSan Antonio Express News- Saturday Edition

www.saws.org/conservation/sip

Web site for SIP

What Is SIP?What Is SIP?

SIP is based on Evapotranspiration SIP is based on Evapotranspiration Technology or ETTechnology or ET

ET utilizes local weather data to ET utilizes local weather data to calculate how much water is lost from calculate how much water is lost from soil and used by plants over time.soil and used by plants over time.

These calculations are applied to turf These calculations are applied to turf grass and converted into weekly grass and converted into weekly irrigation advice.irrigation advice.

Does SIP Work?Does SIP Work?

YES!!YES!! We have done studies We have done studies

for five years on SIP in for five years on SIP in San Antonio.San Antonio.

Participants have Participants have saved water, money saved water, money and had great lawns.and had great lawns.(Used with Permission)

How SIP helps homeowners?How SIP helps homeowners?

SIP advice tells you how SIP advice tells you how much water your grass much water your grass needs each week.needs each week.

Each person selects day Each person selects day to receive messageto receive message

Find out first how much Find out first how much water your system puts water your system puts out; measure using a SIP out; measure using a SIP kit.kit.

Free SIP Kits Available

Kits contain:•4 catch cups•a rain gauge•conservation tips•refrigerator magnet

Covered headsGeysers

Out of Adjustment

Poor Design

Free Irrigation check-ups can be arranged through SAWS

Grasses for Bexar CountyGrasses for Bexar County

1. St. Augustine1. St. Augustine Needs Most Water Needs Most Water (Best in Shade)(Best in Shade)

2.2. ““TIF” BermudaTIF” Bermuda

3.3. ZoysiaZoysia

4. Common Bermuda4. Common Bermuda

5. Buffalo5. Buffalo Needs Least Water Needs Least Water (Best in Sun)(Best in Sun)

Other Landscape OptionsOther Landscape Options

Use Less WaterUse Less Water

25% of Homeowners water goes to lawns

Mulched Beds & PerviousMulched Beds & Pervious

Surfaces Look Great!Surfaces Look Great!

Proper Aeration

Proper Fertilization

Proper Mowing

Proper Irrigation

USE LESS WATER AND LOOKS GREAT

GPCD TrendsGPCD Trends

Average 5 year drop = 3.25 gpcd/yearAverage 10 year drop = 3.0 gpcd/yearTo Meet Goal = 1.3 gpcd/year over ten years

Best proof of success

How do we measure success?How do we measure success?

One benchmark of long-term progress is One benchmark of long-term progress is gpcd (ALL water/All people)gpcd (ALL water/All people)– San Antonio is currently using 130 San Antonio is currently using 130

gallons/capita/day (gpcd)gallons/capita/day (gpcd)

– This takes into account all household, business This takes into account all household, business and recreational water usageand recreational water usage

– We use long-term trends to project long-term We use long-term trends to project long-term savings and water supply needssavings and water supply needs

– Current long-term goal is 116 gpcd by 2016.Current long-term goal is 116 gpcd by 2016.

Savings Calculations Ex.Savings Calculations Ex.

Seasonal Irrigation ProgramSeasonal Irrigation Program– #households(9,000 gallons)/year#households(9,000 gallons)/year

– Based on comparison of households in same Based on comparison of households in same neighborhoods SIP/non SIP water usageneighborhoods SIP/non SIP water usage

– Assume no savings past one year during Assume no savings past one year during receipt of messagesreceipt of messages

– $187/AF (one year assumed life of savings)$187/AF (one year assumed life of savings)

Tracking 2005; Dry YearTracking 2005; Dry Year

130.4Actual 2005 GPCD

128

Dry Year 2005 = 133.71

Monthly Savings CalculationsMonthly Savings Calculations

OTHER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS & SERVICESJANUARY 2006

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Jan-06 Feb-06 Mar-06 Apr-06 May-06 Jun-06 Jul-06 Aug-06 Sep-06 Oct-06 Nov-06 Dec-06

Acre-F

eet

Saved

Hot Water On Demand Restaurant Certification Plumbers to People Home Audit SIPWatersaver Landscape Large Scale Rebate Wash Right Rainsensor

2006 Department Goal = 1,430 Acre-Feet (1 GPCD)

Annual Objectives: 2006 Goal Other Programs = 627 AF

Year-to-Date Accomplishments: 153 Acre-Feet Annual Savings Secured in January 200624% of Annual Goal

Participation by ProgramParticipation by Program

2006 = 6500

2005 Savings Highlights2005 Savings Highlights

Distributed 23,500 toilets Distributed 23,500 toilets =over 700 AF saved=over 700 AF saved

250 indoor home audits, 29 commercial irrigation 250 indoor home audits, 29 commercial irrigation analyses, 263 residential irrigation analyses analyses, 263 residential irrigation analyses

= 65 AF saved= 65 AF saved

5,112 participants in Seasonal Irrigation Program5,112 participants in Seasonal Irrigation Program= 140 AF saved= 140 AF saved

512 households served by Plumbers to People Program 512 households served by Plumbers to People Program = 255 AF saved= 255 AF saved

Success IndicatorsSuccess Indicators

1.1. Increased Public participationIncreased Public participation

2.2. Calculations of AF saved/programCalculations of AF saved/program

3.3. GPCD trends (direct programs GPCD trends (direct programs don’t account for all savings—don’t account for all savings—drought, cost increases, and drought, cost increases, and change in expected norms) change in expected norms)

4.4. Attitudes of the public is betterAttitudes of the public is better

New Project started in 2005 New Project started in 2005 Turfgrass Drought StudyTurfgrass Drought Study

60 day Drought Survival Study

Initial preparation for 25 variety drought study onSt Augustine, Zoysia, Bermuda, & Buffalo grasses

Plot size - 4ft x 4ft & replicated 4 times

Drought Study Cont….Drought Study Cont….

Half of Grass plots are planted on 4” of native soil over an impermeable plastic barrier

Half on native soil with no barrier.

Study Planted Sept. 05 include

Drought Study Field DayDrought Study Field Day

Same set of grasses planted on similar plot in 9/06 for Same set of grasses planted on similar plot in 9/06 for study in 07study in 07

Grasses will be evaluated during drought & recovery Grasses will be evaluated during drought & recovery periodperiod

Results used to develop recommended Turfgrass list for Results used to develop recommended Turfgrass list for Home Builders Home Builders

Rain-out ShelterRain-out Shelter Shelter constructed to Shelter constructed to

prevent rainprevent rain

Sensors detect rainfall & Sensors detect rainfall & automatically moves automatically moves across the plotacross the plot

SAWS contributed SAWS contributed $115,000 to project$115,000 to project

TPT contributed $22,594 TPT contributed $22,594 + in-kind service+ in-kind service

SIP PARTNERSSIP PARTNERS

Thanks for your timeThanks for your time