2010 IRRIGATION RATIONING PROGRAM

Once again, we will be conducting the irrigation-rationing program this year.  Remember just because the City of Colorado Springs is not rationing, does not mean those of us on well water aren’t.  Remember, Donala’s water comes from the Denver Basin of aquifers, a depleting supply.  Until we have obtained a significant renewable water supply, customers can expect to continue on the irrigation-rationing program initiated in 2007.  Below are the procedures for 2010, beginning on Monday, May 31, and continuing through Monday, September 6^th.  We ask that you voluntarily follow the schedule as well before and after the mandatory period. 

Residential:

For odd number addresses – Irrigation allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday

For even number addresses – Irrigation allowed on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

NO IRRIGATION ON SUNDAY (call for a waiver if you want Sunday vs. Saturday or Monday)

The following is the schedule for commercial and specific irrigation account:

Ridge Point Apartments – M,W,F                       Gleneagle Civic Assoc. – T,Th, Sat.

Sun Mesa Townhomes – T,Th, Sat.                    Club Villa Townhomes – M,W,F

Sunrise Townhomes – M,W,F                            Eagle Villas Townhomes – M,W,F

Gleneagle Square Shop. Center – M,W,F            Gleneagle Townhomes – T,Th, Sat.

Shops in the Glen – T,Th, Sat.                            Gleneagle Golf Club & Greens – M,W,F

Peoples National Bank – M,W,F                         Eagle Point HOA – T, Th, Sat.

The Place – T,Th, Sat.                                       Antelope Trails Elementary – M,W,F

Gleneagle Exec. Center – M,W,F                       Bethesda Executive Office Bldgs – T,Th,Sat.

Paradise Villas Townhomes – T,TH,Sat.             Donald Wescott Fire Dept. – T,Th, Sat.

Academy View Storage – T,Th, Sat.                  Ridge at Fox Run HOA – M,W,F

Falcon’s Nest III HOA – M,W,F                        Nichlas Court Patio Homes – T,Th, Sat.

Struther’s Ranch I HOA – T,Th, Sat.                 Gleneagle North HOA – M,W,F

Summer Glen Townhomes – M,W,F

Irrigation times are between Midnight and 9 AM, and between 6 PM and Midnight.  Hand watering of dry spots or flowers/vegetable gardens is permissible any day between 6 PM and 9 AM.  For new plants, hand water on any single day, any time.  Portable lawn sprinkling devices left on for any period of time are not defined as “hand watering”, and are limited to the same schedule above.

We issued waivers in 2009 for customers with special circumstances (no automatic system, new lawns, etc.)  The bottom line is everyone gets to water their lawn three days a week.  For a waiver, please call us.  We are very flexible.  However, there will be no “grace period” and courtesy letters this year, except for new Donala customers who were not here last summer.  See www.donalawater.org  Rules & Regulations for penalties or scroll down below.  The program also applies to those with the ET manager system.  Call us and one of our operators will assist in programming the ET controller.

The following are some techniques and suggestions for watering:

1.  Water lawn areas for 40 minutes, garden areas for 15-20 minutes.  Note:  If your system is sophisticated enough, you may want to set up two periods of shorter durations on the lawn areas within the allowable time.  This is often touted as the best way to be sure the water gets down to the roots and doesn’t evaporate as much.

2.  Keep grass about 5” long.  Allows the water to hold and doesn’t dry up as much.

3.  Turn system off if it is raining or has recently rained since your last watering.  Program will not change.

4.  If the wind is so strong it is blowing the water off the area to be irrigated, consider turning the system off.  Watering the street, driveway, and/or neighbor’s lawn doesn’t do you much good.

Procedures for setting programs:

Most automatic irrigation systems have either a 14 day or a 30 day program controller.  Most start on Monday.  Therefore, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday irrigators should set their 14 day controllers to operate on Days, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12.  Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday irrigators should set to operate on Days 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, and 13.  There should be no operation on Days 7 and 14.  Thirty-day controllers will be the same and obviously continued on through 30. If you have trouble setting your program, contact the district for assistance.

Enforcement:

The District Rules and Regulations spell out the penalties for non-compliance with the rationing program.  The first “violation” will incur a Warning Letter.  The second Warning Letter will contain notification of a fine to be assessed for the third violation.  The third offense incurs a $25 penalty.  Fourth offense costs $50 and a disconnect notice if there are any further violations.  The fifth offense will result in termination of water service and applicable “re-connect” fees.

NOTE: This program is NOT intended to promote conflicts between neighbors.  We are not asking customers to call in violations.  If you wish to do so anonymously, we will take the information and investigate on our own.  Violations will be verified before penalty fines are assessed.

Please understand that this program is just one of several conservation measures we are taking in order to maintain our water supply.  It is important for the longevity of our system, and eventually for the value of your property.  We thank you in advance for your cooperation.