Water Conservation Incentive Program Update
Due to strong interest and participation, the City of Prescott Water Conservation Incentive Credit program has been fully allocated for this fiscal year to citizens that have applied for the credit. Posted 4/21/10
Water Conservation Incentive Credits April 2006- April 2010
| No. of Products or Activities Conducted |
Type of Incentive |
Projected Gallons of Water Saved |
| 211 |
Turf grass removal |
9,677,559 |
| 351 |
Leaks repaired |
1,178,550 |
| 538 |
Water efficient washing machines |
2,352,236 |
| 146 |
Hot H20 recirculation pumps |
319,740 |
| 1468 |
Low flow toilets in pre 1994 homes |
10,716,400 |
| 547 |
Low flow showerheads |
3,744,900 |
| 18 |
Waterless technology urinals |
37,440 |
| 11 |
Certified irrigation audits |
220,000 |
| 10 |
Rainwater harvest systems |
71,734 |
| Total Products 3,300 |
86.9 acre-feet (AF) per year (Estimated cumulative 234 AF) |
Gallons Saved 28,318,559 |
Please note that no additional incentive requests will be processed for the remainder of the fiscal year (through June 30, 2010); any applications received will be returned.
The annual Water Conservation Incentive Program is subject to funding . Please check back to the Water Smart web site on or after July 1, 2010, to determine the availability of incentive credits for next fiscal year (FY 2011).
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Effective April 15th through November 1st of each year, the Time of Day Watering Ordinace No. 4536 is in effect.
Outdoor watering which uses spray or other airborne irrigation shall be permitted only between the hours of 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM.
Reporting Time of Day Watering Violations
Contact us (anonymously if desired) in one of two ways:
By using Code Enforcement Online Complaint Form
By calling our complaint line at 928-777-1319
Save thousands of gallons of water and begin installing your water harvesting system before our seasonal monsoons arrive.
The City Plumbing Code was updated in 1991, requiring installation of low-water usage toilets and shower heads in all homes and businesses built since then (about 5500 single family and duplex units plus multi-family and non-residential). There are an estimated 15,000 dwelling units (including approximately 2,000 outside the City on City water) that were built before 1991. In all probability, the vast majority of these 15,000 older homes have high-water use toilets, and many may still have high-water use showerheads.
The tables which follows have been recommended for the first "pilot" year (Figures 1, 2).
Water Savings Example
A two-bathroom household that is retrofitted with all of the proposed incentives (water efficient toilet, shower head, washing machine, point of demand hot water circulator, and provides leak repairs, turf removal) will save approximately 30,500 gallons of water per year. This could amount to approximately 1400-acre feet saved per year at our current population if every household adopted water-efficient plumbing devices and landscaping approaches.
This projection does not include water savings that would result from non-residential entities such as businesses, schools, churches, governments and institutions adopting conservation incentives (the same plumbing devices and landscape methods used for residences but adding water efficient urinals). Data is not currently available at this time to project the water savings for non-residential uses.
While the water efficiency incentives program makes good financial sense, its purpose extends well beyond the financial into the realm of public education. A strong water conservation incentive program will help to raise public consciousness and participation in water saving habits and lifestyles.
Some incentives, such as urinal incentives, are directed at commercial users. It is expected that this program would be needed for only a few years. After that, we expect the bulk of the urinals to have been replaced and the program could be cut back significantly.
Funding
The City is analyzing water rates, to reflect current and expected costs for infrastructure replacement and upgrades. The WCC is working with the City's contracted rate consultant to help develop a structure that will also fund water conservation programs, including incentives and public education; and that will help to achieve conservation goals.
A key strategy proven elsewhere to achieve water conservation savings is having higher rates. High rates on excessive water use provides a funding source to support a conservation program.
Fixing Water Leaks
If you suspect you may have an indoor or outdoor water leak, download the City of Prescott Water Smart Guide to Finding and Fixing Leaks below.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Don't be caught be surprise when sub-freezing temperatures strike the City of Prescott. A lengthy cold snap of temperatures in the teens or 20s can cause pipes to freeze and burst. Download the guide below to learn how to winterize your pipes.
Bathroom
Nearly 75% of water used indoors is in the bathroom. Baths, showers and toilet flushing account for most of this. Here are some hints to help reduce the amount of water used on a daily basis:
- Check your toilet periodically for leaks. Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If you have a leak, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes. This would indicate that the flapper needs replacing.
- If your toilet makes a gurgling sound, adjust or replace your flush valve.
- Kinked flapper chains can also cause toilets to run, by preventing the flapper from closing properly. An easy way to prevent this is to thread the chain through a short piece of a plastic straw. This will prevent the chain from turning back on itself and kinking.
- Fill a one-quart plastic bottle with water and place it in the toilet tank. To anchor the bottle, fill it partially with sand or any heavy substance. This does not affect the efficiency of most toilets and can save five or more gallons a day for a family of four.
- Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.
- When taking a bath, put the plug in and turn on the hot water. Let it run until the water gets hot, before adding cold water to adjust the temperature.
- Install a low-flow showerhead, or a flow restrictor. Flow restrictors allow you to reduce or stop the flow of water when it is not needed. Low-flow showerheads reduce the gallons of water used per minute.
- Keep a bucket in the shower to catch excess water. Use this water for plants.
- Don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth, shaving, etc.
Kitchen
- Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at a rate of only one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons of water per year.
- When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.
- Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in your refrigerator, or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
- Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run while you're waiting for cool water to flow.
- Consider installing an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don't have to let the water run while it heats up. This will also reduce water-heating costs for your household.
- Kitchen sink disposals require a lot of water to operate correctly. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing of food waste, instead of using a garbage disposal. Disposals also can add up to 50 percent to the volume of solids in the sewer system, or lead to problems with septic systems.
- Run the dishwasher with full loads only.
Household
- If possible, operate your washing machine only when full, or set water level for the size load you are washing.
- Consider purchasing a front-load washing machine when replacing your current machine. You'll save water and energy.
- Install water-softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum amount of regenerations necessary to maintain water softness. Turn softeners off while on vacation.
Outdoors
- Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance check-up. For more water efficient cooling, check yours annually.
- When washing the car, use soap and water from a bucket. Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle for the final rinse.
- Use a broom, not a hose, when cleaning your driveway and sidewalks.
- Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot water faster, and avoid wasting water while it heats up.
- Check for hidden leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you have a leak.
- If you have a well, check your pump periodically. Listen to hear if the pump kicks on and off while water is not being used. If it does, you have a leak.
Low Water Landscaping
For more information on landscaping or to schedule a tour of our Low Water Use Demonstration Garden, call 777-1115.
Lawn Maintenance
If you have a lawn, chances are that this is your biggest water use. Typically, at least 50% of water consumed by households is used outdoors.
- Adjust sprinklers so only the lawn is watered, not the house, sidewalk or street.
- Don't water on windy days.
- Water your lawn every third day in the summer. Always water during the cool time of day to minimize evaporation-early morning or late evening is best.
- A heavy rain means you don't have to water at all.
- For landscaping use native or other low-water use trees, shrubs and plants.
- Minimize grass areas in your yard-less grass means less water.
- Using a layer of mulch around plants reduces evaporation and promotes plant growth.
- When mowing, raise the blades level to its highest level. Close cut grass makes the roots work harder, requiring more water.
Be Efficient
- Plan and design your landscaping area - evaluate your site and inventory existing plants.
- Evaluate your turf area - identify drainage problems.
- Use efficient irrigation methods - make appropriate seasonal adjustments. Remember not to water on windy days, and water only during the cool times of the day.
- Use soil amendments - This allows for better water absorption and holding capacity.
- Use mulches - mulches include rock, decomposed granite and wood chips.
- Incorporate low-water use plants - Consider using wildflower seeds.
- Appropriate maintenance - This includes proper pruning, weeding, fertilization and irrigation system adjustments.
Hints for Trees
For established low water use trees, the watering is based upon 2 gallon per hour emitters, 6-10 emitters per tree. Duration of watering time is 3 to 5 hours under the canopy line, subject to soil conditions.
- During the winter months, water once per month if no supplemental rain is received.
- During the spring and fall months, water twice per month.
- For the summer months, water once per week depending on temperatures.
Hints for Shrubs and Groundcover
Watering is based upon 2 gallon per hour emitters, 1 to 2 emitters per plant, for 2 to 3 hours.
- During winter months, water once to twice per month.
- During spring and fall months, water once per week.
- For the summer months, water once to two times per week depending on temperatures.
Hints for Turf
The following information is based on watering established turf for a duration of approximately 30 minutes.
- During the winter months, water dormant turf once per month if no supplemental rain is received.
- Established winter rye-water once to twice per week.
- During the spring and fall months, water twice per week.
- For the summer months, water three times per week depending on temperatures.
Hints For Planting Wildflowers
- Spring bloomers are best planted in the fall, and plant summer bloomers prior to the monsoon season.
- Choose a sunny site.
- Loosen the soil surface with a rake or a trowel.
- Mix wildflower seeds with soil, sand or mulch.
- Distribute seed mix evenly over the planting site.
- Keep seeds moist for a few weeks to facilitate seed germination.
- Once seedlings are established, occasional irrigation will help promote successful flowering.
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