CONSERVE OUR WATER

Water restrictions in place... Stage 2

Ordinance 226 - City of Newark Drought Contingency Plan

How can we help?

In the dog days of Texas Spring and Summer, thoughts turn to water -- truly a precious resource. Conservation not only helps ensure that our water supply is adequate; it also protects the quality of our water. Here's what you can do to conserve at home.

Xeriscaping

What is Xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment. It includes the use of plants adapted to a particular region, as well as specific maintenance practices designed to grow those plants in a healthy manner.

What does it involve?

There are seven basic principles involved in Xeriscaping.

1 Planning and design.

Take into account what already exists and which functions you want your landscape to perform, such as offering shade, color, or larger areas in which to play. Decide which current plants will remain and which plants should be purchased to introduce to your landscape.

2 Soil analysis.

What's in the soil directly affects how successfully plants will grow. You need to determine what is in your soil and what you may need to add to grow healthy plants.

3 Practical turf areas.

Turf grasses require more frequent watering and maintenance than most other landscape plants. Carefully select grass according to its intended use, planting location, and maintenance requirements.

4 Appropriate plant selection.

Different plants have different requirements for sun or shade, water, and heat and cold tolerance. Select plants appropriate to your region.

5 Efficient irrigation.

When you water, make sure that as much water as possible is delivered where it will do the most good: the plants' root zones. Many sprinklers put out a fine spray that is carried away by the wind. Look for sprinklers that put out large drops that will fall to the ground, or consider drip irrigation or soaker hoses to make sure that most of the water gets to the roots.

6 Use of mulches.

Mulching moderates soil temperatures, helps prevent water from evaporating from the soil, reduces weed populations, and prevents soil compaction.

7 Appropriate maintenance.

Mowing and fertilizing correctly and at the right intervals promotes healthy plants.

By putting these principles into practice, you can dramatically reduce your household's water use, especially during hot, dry weather-and you won't have to sacrifice a healthy, beautiful landscape to do it!

Basics To A Total Organic Program

Although fertilizing with a true organic material like corn meal or alfalfa is a good start it simply won't be enough. A true organic program depends on the beneficial microbes thai reside in your soil. Organically speaking we want to fed and nourish these microbes so that they will be happy and multiply. And in turn they will provide the nutrients that youi soil needs to fed and nourish your healthy lawn.

1. Soil Samples

needed to determine the ph of the soil and to determine the
amount of nitrogen present as well as other trace minerals, such as potassium and
phosphorous.

2. Soil Amendments

these are the additions of proteins and / or minerals needed by
the soil as determined by the soil samples. Dry molasses & organic composts are
examples of amendments

3. Grass Clippings

recycling of grass clippings is a must. Approx. 40% of the
nitrogen your lawn gets per year will be in the form of grass clippings. The
landfills appreciate this too. The exception to this is at the end of the growing
season when the clippings must be bagged because during the cold season they
may not decompose properly prior to spring. Put them in your compost pile.

4. Mowing

under an organic program you will need to allow your grass to be
mowed a little higher, cutting no more than approx. 1/3 of the total length at any
one time. This height will help to choke out weeds by shading the seeds from the
sun that they need to grow. For example if your grass is to be maintained at 2
inches then you cut it 1" when it reaches 3 inches tall.

5. Fertilization

organic fertilizers such as corn meal or alfalfa should be used three
times a year. 1st between Jan - March. 2nd sometime in June as a booster shot so
to speak. And the 3r between Sept. and Oct. Your spring and fall fertilizations
should be with corn gluten meal, (different than corn meal). Corn gluten acts as a
very effective organic weed control amendment as well as a fertilizer.

6. Watering

this is a big place where you will reap the cost savings of being totally
organic. We want to stimulate deep healthy roots. In order to do that we need to
water "deep" but in frequently. Frequent watering encourages shallow root
growth which does not promote healthy drought tolerant lawns and plants. It is
recommended to water 1" in the hot summer once a week. This means to water
like a 1" rainfall. However never allow any runoff. You must adjust accordingly
for your own soil absorption. Deep watering should over all cut down on your
water consumption and saving you money on your water bill.

7. Watering after a rain- why would you?

Well suppose you get a '/z" rain shower.
If you would go ahead and add another 1A" with your sprinkler system you're
done for the week. That other half inch that would have appeared on your water
bill can now go into your pocket as a cost savings.

Organic lawn care is no short cut but in the long it will save you money, develop healthier lawns and gardens, conserves water, and reduces the amount of chemicals that would other wise leach into our streams, lakes, and water tables. And, hi addition goes a long way in the advancement of eco-friendliness.

As given by Councilman Jerry Davidson in an open session Newark City Council meeting under the comments section of the agenda 5/1/08.

Where can I learn more?

The following list has a few of the many Web pages that describe how you can make your landscape a Xeriscape. The pages will take you off the Newark Web site.

Irrigation systems for your Xeriscape
http://extension-horticulture....swers/drought/drought4.html

Landscape water conservation … Xeriscape
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu...on/xeriscape/xeriscape.html

City of Austin Grow Green Program
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center-Native Plant Information Network
http://www.wildflower2.org/index.html

For the Kids
Texas Water kids
http://www.texaswater.org/kids/default.htm

Other ways to conserve Water

Inside tips

Check your toilet for leaks.
A leak in your toilet may waste more than 100 gallons of water per day. To check for leaks, put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. Leave alone for several minutes. If the food coloring color appears in the toilet bowl you have a leaky gasket. Fix as soon as possible.

Take shorter showers.
Long showers waste five to ten gallons every minute.

Install water-saving devices for your showerhead and toilet.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.

Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator.
This ends the wasteful practice of running tap water to cool it off for drinking.

Use your automatic dishwasher only for full loads.
Your dishwasher uses approximately 25 gallons of water so make each gallon count.
If you wash dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing. If you have two sinks, fill one with soapy water and the other with rinse water.

Check faucets and pipes for leaks.
Many leaks can be repaired with inexpensive washers.

Outside tips

Mulch around trees, shrubs and plants.
This encourages healthy roots while maintaining root moisture.

Water during the cool parts of the day.
Early morning deep-soakings are better than watering at dusk since it helps prevent fungus growth.

Don't water the street or gutter.
Position your sprinklers so the water sprays the grass and not the street or driveway.

Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks, and steps.
Using a hose to clean those areas can waste hundreds of gallons of water.

Maintain a lawn height of 2 1/2 to 3 inches.
This helps protect the roots from loss of moisture through evaporation.

Water thoroughly a couple times a week versus a light sprinkling everyday.
Aerate clay soils at least once a year to help the soil retain moisture.

Plan your garden plantings around similar watering needs.
Plant drought-tolerant, low water-demanding grasses, shrubs and plants.

Mower time
Mower maintenance is an often overlooked factor in water conservation, but can have a large impact on the health and efficiency of the turf plants. Take the time to keep your mower blade sharp. A dull blade rips the top off of the grass plant, causing damage to the plant and forcing the grass blade to expend more water and energy to repair the damage. Also, a dull blade will produce brown tips after the cutting, which simply looks bad. A sharp blade avoids these problems. Keep the underside of the deck clean to help the blade create the needed "lift". This helps produce a more uniform cut and aids in energy efficiency. Cut no more than one third of the blade on any one cutting. If your lawn has gotten out of control, set the deck up high for the first mowing and wait a few days between mowings to lower the deck to the desired cutting height. Remember also that a slightly longer grass blade (2.5 inches or more) will reduce thatch buildup, increase disease resistance, and conserve water.

Thanks to everyone for their valuable efforts during our water shortages.
Your patience and kindness is greatly appreciated.
Newark Public Works Water Department.