Date: 09/15/2015

Final
Quantification of Landscape Water Conservation Best Management Practices

WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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11:11 AM -- Quantification of Landscape Water Conservation Best Management Practices

The committee came back to order. Kristen Fefes, Executive Director, Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado, introduced herself to the committee and introduced her fellow presenters: Brenda O'Brien, Project Manager, GreenCO, and Jay Hicks, Lobbyist for GreenCO. She distributed her presentation to the committee (Attachment C). Ms. Fefes discussed the role and membership of GreenCO and described how GreenCO is funded. She explained that GreenCO developed a a set of 39 best management practices (BMPs) for the Green Industry, summarizing practices that conserve (require less) water, increase irrigation efficiency, protect water quality, and support healthy, attractive, sustainable landscapes. It also recently completed a study to assess the quantitative benefits of landscape BMPs, both within the industry and for water providers Ms. Fefes discussed the Colorado Water Plan and the future action items in the plan, as they relate to the best management practices of GreenCO.

Attachment C.pdfAttachment C.pdf

11:26 AM

Brenda O'Brien discussed the challenge of quantify water conservation savings from BMPs because of the lack of studies relevant to Colorado and explained how the GreenCO quantification study overcame these challenges. For example, the study completed engineering calculations to estimate net irrigation requirements for various landscape scenarios. It also conducted macro-scale modeling for the South Platte Basin to estimate potential water demand reductions achievable under several outdoor water use scenarios. Ms. O'Brien explained that the quantification study determined that landscape water conservation BMPs can provide significant water demand reductions, without sacrificing attractive landscapes. The magnitude of these reductions varies based on site-specific landscape conditions, climate and behavioral change. It also determined that over-irrigation remains a significant opportunity for water savings. Ms. O'Brien explained how Chapter 6.3 of the Colorado Water Plan addresses conservation and reuse including the potential benefits of landscape BMPs. She also discussed obstacles to implementing BMPs including the lack of public awareness about the benefits of landscape BMPs.

11:40 AM

The committee recessed.